The molecular genetics of breast cancer: the contribution of comparative genomic hybridization.
Comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) has been the technique of choice over the last 10 years for mapping DNA copy number changes in human tumors. Here we review the literature to demonstrate how CGH has contributed to the comprehension of molecular aspects of breast tumorigenesis. At least two distinct molecular pathways of breast cancer have been characterized that show a strong correlation with histological grade. It seems that grade I invasive ductal carcinomas (IDCs) arise from well-differentiated ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), whereas grade III IDCs come from poorly differentiated DCIS. In addition, dedifferentiation from a low- to a high-grade breast cancer has proven an unlikely phenomenon. CGH has been instrumental in dissecting distinct molecular pathways toward breast malignancy and in establishing a direct relationship between genotype and clinical pathological features.
Reis-Filho
Jorge S
JS
The Breakthrough Toby Robins Breast Cancer Research Centre, Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK. jorgerf@icr.ac.uk
Simpson
Peter T
PT
Gale
Theodora
T
Lakhani
Sunil R
SR
D001940:Breast / Q000473:pathology; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D002278:Carcinoma in Situ / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D002285:Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D006965:Hyperplasia / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization / Q000379:methods; D010641:Phenotype
D004273:DNA, Neoplasm