Abstract Targeting endocrine resistant breast cancer cells has been successfully accomplished by the use of mTORC1 inhibitors in combination with either aromatase inhibitors or tamoxifen. While there was preclinical data suggesting that targeting of the type I IGF receptor (IGF1R) might also be a target for endocrine resistant cells, clinical trials using IGF1R monoclonal antibodies showed no advantage and even suggested potential harm for the combination. IGF1R inhibition results in the disruption of an endocrine feedback loop and results in elevation of the pituitary growth factor growth hormone (GH). GH is involved in normal human growth, development, metabolism, and longevity. Growth hormone released from the pituitary stimulates production of IGF-I from the liver. The GH/IGF-1 axis is known to promote mammary gland hyperplasia and breast cancer carcinogenesis. Previous studies have shown that GH promotes carcinogenesis independently of insulin-like growth factor. The role of GH in specific subtypes of breast carcinoma remains to be defined. Our laboratory has found that estrogen receptor positive breast cancer cell lines up regulated oncogenic STAT5, Akt, and MAPK signaling pathways in response to GH. Tamoxifen resistant (TamR) and long-term estrogen deprived (LTED) breast cancer cell lines derived from MCF-7 and T47D cells demonstrated increased oncogenic signaling in response to GH compared to the corresponding parental cell lines from which they were derived. In contrast, GH stimulation of a triple negative breast cancer cell line (MDA-MB-231) failed to induce signaling via these oncogenic pathways. Although GH treatment of parental, TamR, and LTED breast cancer cells had minimal effect on cell proliferation, cell cycle progression, or migration; GH signaling protected cells from cytotoxic chemotherapy induced apoptosis. This data shows that GH signaling is found in endocrine sensitive and resistant cells. Furthermore, GH may function in protecting cells from cell death induced by either endocrine or cytotoxic drugs. GH receptor blockade may be a valid treatment option for endocrine resistant breast cancer. Citation Format: Heather C Beckwith, Douglas Yee. Growth hormone induction of oncogenic signaling promotes survival of endocrine resistant breast cancer cells [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Seventh Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2014 Dec 9-13; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(9 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-06-06.