title: An 18-gene signature for vascular invasion is associated with aggressive features and reduced survival in breast cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Vascular invasion by tumor cells is known to be important for cancer progression. By microarray and qPCR analyses, we earlier identified an 18-gene signature associated with vascular involvement in endometrial cancer. Here, we explored the significance of this vascular invasion signature in multiple series of breast cancer patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study includes 11 open access gene expression data sets which collectively provide information on 2423 breast cancer patients. The 18-gene signature showed consistent associations with aggressive features of breast cancer, like high tumor grade, hormone receptor negativity, HER2 positivity, a basal-like phenotype, reduced patient survival, and response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Also, the vascular invasion signature was associated with several other gene expression profiles related to vascular biology and tumor progression, including the Oncotype DX breast cancer recurrence signature.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The 18-gene vascular invasion signature showed strong and consistent associations with aggressive features of breast cancer and reduced survival.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Cancer Biomarkers CCBIO, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Norway.
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mannelqvist
authors.affiliation: Centre for Cancer Biomarkers CCBIO, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Norway; Department of Pathology, The Gade Institute, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Wik
authors.affiliation: Centre for Cancer Biomarkers CCBIO, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Norway; Department of Pathology, The Gade Institute, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.
authors.forename: Ingunn M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Stefansson
authors.affiliation: Centre for Cancer Biomarkers CCBIO, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Norway; Department of Pathology, The Gade Institute, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.
authors.forename: Lars A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Akslen
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000235:genetics; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000473:pathology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology*; D019295:Computational Biology; D018450:Disease Progression; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D052138:Genes, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D042601:Lymphatic Vessels / Q000473:pathology*; D060787:Neoplasm Grading; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor