Recent Advances in Prolactin Research summarizes the current knowledge of prolactin (PRL), PRL receptor, PRL-dependent signaling pathways, the role of PRL in oncogenesis and PRL crosstalk with other oncogenicfactors. The chapters are written by experts in these fields and focus on identifying and reviewing timely experimental findings that provide new insights into the expanding role of PRL in the pathophysiology associated with a variety of human conditions.

Prolactin is a peptide hormone that is best known for its role in lactation. Prolactin also has an influence on hematopoiesis and angiogenesis, and is involved in the regulation of blood clotting through several pathways. Although PRL was discovered more than 80 years ago, the understanding of PRL signaling and its relationship to various pathologies is still very incomplete. PRL is not only a pituitary hormone with an important role in reproduction, but PRL also acts as a cytokine, modulating a wide variety of physiological processes. For example, data gathered during the last decade have demonstrated that locally produced PRL acts as the autocrine/paracrine factor and plays a contributory role during breast oncogenesis. In fact, the scientific and clinical communities have suggested that the manipulation of the PRL axis may lead to the successful treatment of breast cancer. However, recent work has demonstrated that the role of the PRL axis is much more complex than first envisaged.

Prolactin in adipose tissue: regulation and functions.- Signaling pathways regulating pituitary lactotrope homeostasis and tumorigenesis.- The many faces of prolactin in breast cancer.- Regulation of blood vessels by prolactin and vasoinhibins.- Tyrosyl phosphorylated serine-threonine kinase PAK1 is a novel regulator of prolactin-dependent breast cancer cell motility and invasion.- Plasticity of the prolactin Axis: mechanisms underlying regulation of output in female mice.- Role of Src family kinases in prolactin signaling.- Prolactin-Induced Protein in Breast Cancer.- Modeling prolactin actions in breast cancer in vivo: insights from the NRL-PRL mouse.- Prolactin-induced prostate tumorigenesis.- Prolactin in inflammatory response.- A positive feedback loop between prolactin and STAT 5 promotes angiogenesis.- Index.