Luminal and Basal Subtypes Across Carcinomas: Molecular Programs Beyond Tissue of Origin

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Cancer Biology
• Epithelial Biology

Background:

• Carcinomas arise from polarized epithelia with distinct luminal and basal cell properties.
• Luminal and basal traits in carcinomas correlate with molecular profiles, clinical behavior, and patient outcomes.
• Luminal/basal subtyping, first defined in breast cancer, reveals shared biological programs across different cancer types.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review advances in understanding the basal-like subtype of epithelial tumors from 2010-2024.
• To integrate findings on luminal/basal subtyping across various carcinoma types.
• To clarify the role of luminal and basal subtypes in refining cancer classification, prognosis, and therapy.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of key studies on basal-like subtypes in epithelial tumors (2010-2024).
• Analysis of studies applying luminal/basal subtyping in large carcinoma cohorts and single tumor types.
• Integration of findings to synthesize current understanding and future potential.

Main Results:

• Basal phenotypes are consistently linked to aggressive disease and specific treatment vulnerabilities in multiple carcinoma types.
• Luminal/basal subtyping transcends traditional histological and anatomical classifications.
• Evidence supports shared biological programs underlying luminal and basal differentiation across diverse epithelial cancers.

Conclusions:

• Luminal and basal subtyping offers a biology-driven framework for cancer classification.
• This subtyping approach has the potential to enhance prognostic accuracy.
• Understanding luminal/basal subtypes can guide more precise therapeutic decision-making in carcinomas.