Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 17, 2026

Orthotopic Transplantation of Breast Tumors as Preclinical Models for Breast Cancer
07:45

Orthotopic Transplantation of Breast Tumors as Preclinical Models for Breast Cancer

Published on: May 18, 2020

7.4K

Metaplastic breast cancer: clinical overview and molecular aberrations for potential targeted therapy

Sausan Abouharb1, Stacy Moulder

  • 1Departments of Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Unit 1354, Houston, TX, 77030, USA, sabouharb@mdanderson.org.

Current Oncology Reports
|February 19, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Metaplastic breast cancer is rare and aggressive, often responding poorly to chemotherapy. This review explores its characteristics and optimal treatment strategies for better patient outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Pathology

Background:

  • Metaplastic breast cancer (MBC) is a rare invasive mammary carcinoma subtype.
  • MBC exhibits aggressive behavior and typically has a poor prognosis.
  • Chemotherapy response in MBC is often suboptimal compared to invasive ductal carcinoma.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a comprehensive overview of metaplastic breast cancer.
  • To discuss clinical and pathologic characteristics of MBC.
  • To review current and future treatment strategies for MBC.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of metaplastic breast cancer.
  • Analysis of clinical and pathological features.
  • Examination of treatment modalities and clinical trials.

Main Results:

  • MBC presents unique pathological features and aggressive clinical behavior.
  • Limited data exists on optimal treatment protocols for MBC.
  • Current treatment strategies require further investigation and optimization.

Conclusions:

  • Metaplastic breast cancer necessitates tailored treatment approaches.
  • Further research and clinical trials are crucial for improving MBC outcomes.
  • Understanding MBC's characteristics is key to developing effective therapies.

More Related Videos

Testing Targeted Therapies in Cancer using Structural DNA Alteration Analysis and Patient-Derived Xenografts10:27

Testing Targeted Therapies in Cancer using Structural DNA Alteration Analysis and Patient-Derived Xenografts

Published on: July 25, 2020

8.1K
Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts from Mouse Mammary Tumors as Tools for Molecular and Computational Studies09:01

Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts from Mouse Mammary Tumors as Tools for Molecular and Computational Studies

Published on: July 3, 2025

1.1K

Related Concept Videos

Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
9.2K
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

1.8K
Metastasis02:30

Metastasis

Metastasis is the spread of cancer cells from the original site to distant locations in the body. Cancer cells can spread via blood vessels (hematogenous) as well as lymph vessels in the body.
Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition
The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition or EMT is a developmental process commonly observed in wound healing, embryogenesis, and cancer metastasis. EMT is induced by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) or receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) ligands, which further...
7.0K
Mitogens and the Cell Cycle02:38

Mitogens and the Cell Cycle

Mitogens and their receptors play a crucial role in controlling the progression of the cell cycle. However, the loss of mitogenic control over cell division leads to tumor formation. Therefore, mitogens and mitogen receptors play an important role in cancer research. For instance, the epidermal growth factor (EGF) - a type of mitogen and its transmembrane receptor (EGFR), decides the fate of the cell's proliferation. When EGF binds to EGFR, a member of the ErbB family of tyrosine kinase...
8.5K
Tumor Progression02:07

Tumor Progression

Tumor progression is a phenomenon where the pre-formed tumor acquires successive mutations to become clinically more aggressive and malignant. In the 1950s, Foulds first described the stepwise progression of cancer cells through successive stages.
Colon cancer is one of the best-documented examples of tumor progression. Early mutation in the APC gene in colon cells causes a small growth on the colon wall called a polyp. With time, this polyp grows into a benign, pre-cancerous tumor. Further...
8.0K