Focal adhesion kinase and paxillin : mediators of breast cancer cell migration

Verkoeijen, S. (2011)

Doctoral Thesis

Despite major advances in breast cancer diagnostics and treatment over the years, the disease is still a leading cause of death in women worldwide. Primary breast tumors can be treated relatively well with radiation, surgery, chemotherapy or a combination of these treatments. The occurrence of distant metastases derived from the primary tumor however, results in a considerable decrease in disease prognosis. Metastasis formation occurs through a series of distinct cell biological steps (outlined above). Understanding the molecular mechanisms that underlie each of these steps will help in the development of more successful anti-metastasis treatments. In this thesis, both in vitro and in vivo studies are described that aim at unraveling some of the processes involved in metastasis formation: signaling by components of the focal adhesions and cell migration.

• Breast cancer
• Cell migration
• Chemotherapy
• Focal adhesions
• Metastasis
• Paxillin
• Signaling

• All authors: Verkoeijen, S.
• Supervisor: Water, B. van de
• Qualification: Doctor (dr.)
• Awarding Institution: Faculty of Science, Leiden University
• Date: 2011-04-07
• ISBN (print): 9789085707332
• Sponsorship: J.E. Jurriaanse Stichting