Molecular Mechanisms and Predictive Biomarkers in Breast Cancer Progression and Chemoresistance

Breast cancer remains one of the most prevalent and lethal malignancies among women worldwide. Despite significant advances in early diagnosis and multi-modal therapies, the prognosis of advanced breast cancer patients is often hampered by tumor relapse and the development of resistance to standard chemotherapy agents. It is now widely recognized that the heterogeneity of breast cancer is driven by complex molecular signaling pathways and regulatory networks that govern tumor initiation, progression, metastasis, and therapeutic response. Understanding these mechanisms and identifying novel biomarkers is critical for the development of more effective targeted treatments and personalized medicine strategies.

One of the central transcription factors implicated in breast cancer biology is NF-κB, which orchestrates a variety of cellular processes, including proliferation, apoptosis, inflammation, and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Aberrant activation of NF-κB has been linked to enhanced tumor growth, increased metastatic potential, and the emergence of chemoresistance. At the same time, enzymes such as 5α-reductase type 3 have recently emerged as novel predictive markers, offering new insights into androgen-independent signaling pathways and their influence on chemotherapy efficacy in breast cancer.

This Research Topic aims to provide a comprehensive platform for original research articles, reviews, and mini-reviews focusing on the molecular underpinnings of breast cancer. We are particularly interested in contributions that address:

• Molecular pathways involved in breast cancer initiation, progression, metastasis, and resistance to therapy

• Functional roles of transcription factors such as NF-κB and related regulatory molecules

• Novel biomarkers and enzymes (including but not limited to 5α-reductase type 3) as predictors of disease outcome and treatment response

• Interplay between tumor microenvironment, signaling cascades, and drug resistance

• Innovative diagnostic and therapeutic approaches targeting these pathways or biomarkers

By gathering cutting-edge research in this area, we aim to advance our understanding of breast cancer biology and translational applications, with the ultimate goal of improving clinical outcomes for patients.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Breast Cancer Progression, Chemoresistance, NF-κB Signaling, Predictive Biomarkers, Molecular Pathways

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.