Centre for Urological Research

Mammary stem cells & cancer

Nearly all aspects of breast (mammary gland) development are under hormonal control. Estrogens are thought to mediate various stages of mammary development and breast cancer risk has long been associated with an increased lifetime exposure to estrogen.  The risk however is dependent on the age, dose, and duration of exposure. Estrogens underlying importance is exemplified by the fact that approximately 70% of human breast cancers express the estrogen receptor and are thus hormone dependent.

Epidemiological studies have provided evidence that having children early can protect women against the development of hormone dependent breast cancers.  This lab is focussing on the role of estrogen exposure on the regulation of mammary epithelial cells. Using tools to divide the breast into its immature (containing progenitor cells) and functional cells (hormone positive and hormone negative) we can determine which exposures (normal cycling levels, increased levels at pregnancy, possible environmental exposures) target which breast cells. 

Understanding the role of estrogen in breast epithelial cell differentiation and development will help us to determine the causes behind hormone responsive breast cancer.