It is known that the genetic profile of tumours changes with cancer progression, sometimes owing to drug exposure. Lindström and colleagues have assessed how the status in markers of breast cancer—such as HER2, ER and PR—change as the disease progresses. The study analysed samples from both primary tumours and recurrence from nearly 1,000 patients who were positive for ER (n = 459), PR (n = 430) and HER2 (n = 104). Changes in the status of these markers were seen in 32% (ER), 41% (PR) and 14% (HER2) of patients, which has tremendous implications in patient management.
ORIGINAL RESEARCH PAPER
Lindström, L. S. et al. Clinically used breast cancer markers such as estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 are unstable throughout tumor progression. J. Clin. Oncol. doi:10.1200/JCO.2011.37.2482
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Changing tumours, changing markers. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 9, 429 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrclinonc.2012.116
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nrclinonc.2012.116
