The Role of S6Ks in Pre-Metastatic Niche Formation and Tumor Progression in Breast Cancer

• Grant number: 24/07706-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: February 01, 2025
• End date: September 30, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Nutrition - Nutrition Biochemistry
• Principal Investigator: Fernando Moreira Simabuco
• Grantee: Amanda Miguel Sousa
• Host Institution: Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus São Paulo. São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Breast cancer is the most common neoplasm among women globally, representing a significant public health challenge due to its high mortality rate associated with tumor progression and metastasis formation. In this context, S6 kinases (S6Ks) have attracted attention as potential mediators in these processes, given their importance in regulating protein synthesis and cell growth control as components of the mTOR pathway. Two S6Ks are known, S6K1 and S6K2, with the literature focusing on the first. This study aims to evaluate and compare the participation of S6Ks in tumor progression and pre-metastatic niche formation in breast cancer in knockout and overexpression models in vivo. The literature highlights these kinases' potential as therapeutic targets in epithelial-mesenchymal transition, cell survival, tumor invasion, and the tumor microenvironment. Still, mechanisms and differences between S6Ks remain unknown. Thus, it is expected that the participation of S6Ks in tumor progression and the formation of pre-metastatic niches in breast cancer will be understood through morphological and biochemical analyses, providing information for developing new therapeutic strategies.