Molecular profiling of breast cancer: portraits but not physiognomy.
Breast cancers differ in response to treatment and may have a divergent clinical course despite having a similar histopathological appearance. New technology using DNA microarrays provides a systematic method to identify key markers for prognosis and treatment response by profiling thousands of genes expressed in a single cancer. Microarray profiling of 38 invasive breast cancers now confirms striking molecular differences between ductal carcinoma specimens and suggests a new classification for oestrogen-receptor negative breast cancer. Future approaches will need to include methods for high-throughput clinical validation and the ability to analyze microscopic samples.
Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Ontario Cancer Institute/Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. jdb1003@uhnres.utoronto.ca
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D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D019398:Genes, BRCA1; D006801:Humans; D009154:Mutation; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000378:metabolism; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics
D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D014157:Transcription Factors