The Microenvironment in Breast Cancer Progression: Biology and Implications for Treatment

Overview

Journal Breast Cancer Res

Specialty Oncology

Date 2011 Nov 15

PMID 22078026

Citations 213

Authors

Andrew E Place

Sung Jin Huh

Kornelia Polyak

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Breast cancer comprises a heterogeneous group of malignancies derived from the ductal epithelium. The microenvironment of these cancers is now recognized as a critical participant in tumor progression and therapeutic responses. Recent data demonstrate significant gene expression and epigenetic alterations in cells composing the microenvironment during disease progression, which can be explored as biomarkers and targets for therapy. Indeed, gene expression signatures derived from tumor stroma have been linked to clinical outcomes. There is increasing interest in translating our current understanding of the tumor microenvironment to the development of novel therapies.

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