Recent advances in breast cancer biology

Breast cancer represents a significant worldwide public health problem as well as an excellent model system for examining many aspects of tumor biology and genetics. As the understanding of the biology of breast cancer expands, this new knowledge can be put to use in efforts to diagnose, treat, and prevent breast cancer. In this review we highlight recent advances in breast cancer biology in the areas of genetics, immunobiology, and molecular biology, with particular emphasis on tumor-suppressor genes, minimal disease detection, growth factor receptors, cell cycle regulators, and mediators of apoptosis.