Breast cancer Small molecules targeting apoptosis, a prospective approach to safe scientific success英文文献资料.docVIP

Advances in Bioscience and Biotechnology, 2012, 3, 833-844 ABB /10.4236/abb.2012.37104 Published Online November 2012 (http://www.SciRP.org/journal/abb/) Breast cancer: Small molecules targeting apoptosis, a prospective approach to safe scientific success Mpho Choene 1 , Nonkululeko Mthembu 1 , Zodwa Dlamini 2 , Matlou Mokgotho 3 , James Wachira 3,4 , Lesetja Motadi 1* 1 2 3 4 School of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa Faculty of Science, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa Department of Biochemistry, University of Limpopo, Sovenga, South Africa Department of Biology, Morgan State University, Baltimore, USA Email: lesetja.motadi@wits.ac.za * Received 12 August 2012; revised 13 September 2012; accepted 17 October 2012 ABSTRACT cer cannot be attributed to one factor alone. A number of variables play a role in the development of breast malig- nancies. Even though it is fairly difficult to pinpoint one cause as the main risk factor for breast cancer, studies have shown there are certain genetic, reproductive and lifestyle factors that play a major role in its induction and progression. One of these factors is age, with studies finding that the incidence rates double with every 10 years up until menopause, where the rates start to dra- matically decline [4]. Exposure to radiation and use of oral contraceptives may be associated with induction of breast cancer. Very small fraction of breast cancers could be attributed to preventable lifestyle behaviour such as obesity, alcohol consumption, lack of physical activity and long term use of hormone replacement therapy. In several studies conducted to determine the role these factors have on breast cancer incidence, the data appears to be inconsistent, hence it is hard to establish the sever- ity these factors play in breast cancer induction that is if they even do at all [5,