Identification of Genetic Markers of the Invasive Phenotype in Human Breast Cancer

Abstract

Invasion is a crucial component of the complex process of metastasis that marks the transition of breast cancer from local to life threatening disease. The approach we have taken to identify the molecular pathology underlying the onset of invasion, is to apply a combined microdissection and molecular approaches to a unique tissue bank resource. This enables us to isolate mRNA and directly compare gene expression profiles from pathologically defined regions of DCIS and early invasive tumor cells. We have microdissected and identified a number of genes that show differential expression between DCIS and invasive components in 5 tumors by subtraction hybridization and 8 tumors by membrane filter cDNA A array techniques. We have also pursued 2 specific genes, previously unexplored in relation to breast cancer, that show patterns of differential expression consistent with a role in the process of invasion - Psoriasin (S100A7) and Lumican, a small leucine-rich proteoglycan. We conclude that our approach is productive in identifying novel genes that are previously unexplored in relation to early breast tumor progression and believe that these may provide markers of progression to invasive disease.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 01, 2000
Accession Number
ADB265386

Entities

People

  • Peter H. Watson

Organizations

  • University of Manitoba

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Breast Cancer
  • Carcinoma
  • Cells
  • Chemical Synthesis
  • Chemistry
  • Gene Expression
  • Genetic Structures
  • Genetics
  • Health Services
  • Medical Personnel
  • Organic Chemistry

Fields of Study

  • Biology

Readers

  • Molecular and genetic basis of cancer.
  • Oncology (Cancer Research).
  • Oncology and Biomarker-Based Cancer Detection.

Technology Areas

  • Biotechnology