[Current molecular prognostic factors in breast carcinoma]

In breast cancer the tumor stage, axillary lymph node metastases and hormone receptors are well established prognostic factors. Nevertheless, additional prognostic factors are still desirable. Recently, attention has focussed on molecular markers, in particular mutated genes involved in the pathogenesis of breast carcinoma. The first such marker to be tested for its clinical relevance has been the c-erbB-2 oncogene. However, the results of the many studies published on this subject are controversial. Further progress can be expected from two different strategies. The molecular pathogenesis of breast cancer must be elucidated in more detail, since it is likely that breast cancer is the result of a progressive accumulation of many different somatic mutations in diverse genes such as oncogenes and tumor-suppressor genes. Rather than relying on retrospective analyses, the clinical relevance of new markers must be tested in prospective clinical trials.