The NF-KB pathway and endocrine therapy resistance in breast cancer

Abstract

Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease, which over time acquires various adaptive changes leading to more aggressive biological characteristics and development of treatment resistance. Several mechanisms of resistance have been established; however, due to the complexity of oestrogen receptor (ER) signalling and its crosstalk with other signalling networks, various areas still need to be investigated. This article focusses on the role of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-KB) as a key link between inflammation and cancer and addresses its emerging role as a key player in endocrine therapy resistance. Understanding the precise mechanism of NF-KB-driven endocrine therapy resistance provides a possible opportunity for therapeutic intervention.