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Updated: May 27, 2026
16:24
Profiling of Estrogen-regulated MicroRNAs in Breast Cancer Cells
Published on: February 21, 2014
Gene expression profiling in breast cancer: classification, prognostication, and prediction
Jorge S Reis-Filho1, Lajos Pusztai
1The Breakthrough Breast Cancer Research Centre, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK. jorge.reis-fi lho@icr.ac.uk
Lancet (London, England)
|November 22, 2011
Summary
Gene expression profiling reveals breast cancer is not one disease but many, with distinct molecular subtypes. This understanding is leading to new molecular classification systems and multigene predictors for improved patient prognosis and treatment.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Genomics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Breast cancer is increasingly understood as a heterogeneous disease with distinct molecular characteristics.
- Gene expression profiling has been pivotal in differentiating breast cancer subtypes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the conceptual impact of molecular classification in breast cancer.
- To discuss the clinical utility of molecular classification and multigene predictors.
Main Methods:
- Microarray-based gene expression profiling.
- Transcriptomic analysis to identify molecular subtypes.
- Development of multigene classifiers.
Main Results:
- Oestrogen-receptor (ER)-positive and ER-negative breast cancers represent distinct molecular diseases.
- Proliferation gene expression significantly impacts prognosis in ER-positive breast cancer.
- Molecular classification systems and prognostic multigene predictors are emerging.
Conclusions:
- Molecular classification reframes breast cancer as a group of distinct diseases.
- Multigene predictors offer potential for improved prognostic and predictive accuracy.
- These advancements are being integrated into clinical trials and practice.
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