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Updated: May 14, 2026
11:12
Optimization of a Multiplex RNA-based Expression Assay Using Breast Cancer Archival Material
Published on: August 1, 2018
Nonfamilial breast cancer subtypes
Markus Ringnér1, Johan Staaf, Göran Jönsson
1Department of Oncology, Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)
|February 16, 2013
Summary
Breast cancer is highly diverse, with genomic subtypes linked to outcomes. Understanding these subtypes, including those in nonfamilial cases, is crucial for personalized treatment.
Area of Science:
- Genomics
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease with distinct subtypes identified through gene expression profiling.
- Genomic classification initially partitioned breast cancers into three types, later refined into six subtypes.
- These genomic subtypes show strong resemblance to intrinsic gene expression classifications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current understanding of genomic subtypes in nonfamilial breast cancer.
- To highlight the correlation between genomic subtypes, intrinsic subtypes, and clinical variables.
- To discuss the association of inherited BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations with specific breast cancer subtypes.
Main Methods:
- Genome-wide molecular approaches, including microarray-based gene expression profiling.
- Analysis of genome-wide DNA copy number data.
- Review of existing literature on genomic and intrinsic breast cancer subtypes.
Main Results:
- Five distinct intrinsic subtypes of breast cancer have been identified: basal-like, HER2-enriched, normal-like, luminal A, and luminal B.
- Luminal A tumors are associated with a favorable prognosis.
- Six genomic subtypes have been defined, closely mirroring the intrinsic gene expression subtypes.
Conclusions:
- Genomic subtypes provide a refined classification of breast cancer, correlating with gene expression profiles and clinical outcomes.
- Further understanding of nonfamilial breast cancer genomic subtypes is essential for advancing personalized medicine.
- BRCA1- and BRCA2-mutated tumors exhibit significant correlations with specific genomic subtypes.
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