The basal subtype of breast carcinomas may represent the group of breast tumors that could benefit from EGFR-targeted therapies

Kalliopi P. Siziopikou*, Melody Cobleigh

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

115 Scopus citations

Abstract

The recent understanding of the molecular basis of breast cancer growth and progression led to the identification of tumor subtypes with potentially different biologic behavior. In addition, targeted therapies are increasingly successful in cancer treatment. We recently reported that most of the ER-negative/PR-negative/HER2-negative patients, a group that presents a therapeutic challenge for the oncologist, express EGFR. We now report that the majority of these patients express cytokeratin CK5/6 and therefore belong to the basal subtype of breast carcinomas. These basal subtype lesions are usually high-grade tumors of ductal histology with a high proliferation rate. We propose that the majority of the "triple negative" patients have basal subtype tumors with high EGFR expression and that these tumors may be the subgroup of breast carcinomas that could potentially benefit the most from novel EGFR-targeted therapeutic strategies.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)104-107
Number of pages4
JournalBreast
Volume16
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2007

Keywords

  • Basal subtype of breast carcinomas
  • Breast cancer
  • EGFR
  • HER2
  • Targeted therapies

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery

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