Using an unbiased genomics approach to uncover membrane-localized tumor-associated antigens (TAAs), we have identified glial cell line derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) family receptor α 1 (GFRA1) as a breast cancer TAA.
Thus, while BC-mixture up-regulated the expression of oncogenes associated to breast cancer (GFRA1 and BHLHB8), the H-mixture down-regulated the expression of tumor suppressor genes (EPHA4 and EPHB2).
The expression of GFRα1 and/or GFRα3, especially when combined with ARTN expression, may be useful predictors of disease progression and outcome in specific subtypes of mammary carcinoma.
Here, we show that GDNF stimulation of RET(+)/GFR alpha 1(+) MCF7 breast cancer cells in vitro enhanced cell proliferation and survival, and promoted cell scattering.