Biomarker set for identifiying a severe form of cancer

Breast cancer has been recognized as a heterogeneous

disease that consists of different intrinsic subtypes, including hormone receptor positive breast cancer (also known as luminal breast cancer), which accounts for 70-80% of newly diagnosed breast tumors. The histologic grade of luminal breast cancer is often determined by semi-quantitative methods describing morphologic features related to the differentiation states of the tumor specimen, ranging from well differentiated “grade 1” tumors, through intermediate differentiation (“grade 2”) to poorly differentiated “grade 3” tumors. Breast tumors characterized as luminal “grade 3” generally respond well to chemotherapeutic treatments, whereas patients with luminal “grade 1” tumors would be overtreated. In order to make a clear-cut classification of luminal breast cancer as either “grade 1” (= low risk) or “grade 3” (= high risk) tumors, DKFZ researchers have developed a 3-protein marker set.

Further Information: PDF

DKFZ (German Cancer Research Center, Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum)
Phone: +49-6221-42 2955

Contact
Dr. Ruth Herzog