Breast Cancer
Why we focus on Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is the most common cancer of females in the western world. Recent molecular analysis has revealed that the traditional, morphological categorisation has underestimated the variety of breast cancer types which exist. Many of these molecular sub‑types vary in terms of their clinical behaviour (such as tendency to metastasise) and their responses to therapy. Expanding on these initial studies offers great hope in terms of being able to predict tumour behaviour and patient outcome with greater accuracy, and also for the development of novel therapies targeted specifically against particular subtypes.
What we do
- Engage in a variety of investigations which range in scope from basic molecular biology through to epidemiological studies on incidence and types of cancer in different patient and ethnic groups.
- Maintain a breast cancer tissue bank which is unique in including isolated and characterised cell populations from different tumours.
- Identify genetic variations that predispose to LCIS or DCIS and establish which genetic changes cause these pre-malignant lesions to progress.
- Examine the role of the microenvironment in modifying breast cancer behaviour, focusing specifically on transition of pre‑invasive DCIS to invasive disease.
- We are affiliated with the Centre for Cancer Prevention, directed by Professor Jack Cuzick, who lead on several international trials in breast cancer prevention, which have been pivotal in the introduction of new prevention regimes for breast cancer patients, including the introduction of the aromatase inhibitor, anastrazole.
Key Publications
- Allen et al. Clinical and functional significance of α9β1 integrin expression in breast cancer: a novel cell-surface marker of the basal phenotype that promotes tumour cell invasion. J Pathol 2011; 223: 646-58.
- Clark et al. Molecular subtyping of DCIS: heterogeneity of breast cancer reflected in pre-invasive disease. Br J Cancer 2011; 104: 120-7.
- Williams et al. AP-2gamma promotes proliferation in breast tumour cells by direct repression of the CDKN1A gene. EMBO J 2009; 28: 3591-601.
- Bowen et al. Early onset of breast cancer in a group of British black women. Br J Cancer 2008; 98: 277-81.
Centre for Cancer Prevention Affiliation:
- Cuzick et al. Tamoxifen-induced reduction in mammographic density and breast cancer risk reduction: a nested case-control study. J Natl Cancer Inst 2011; 103: 744-52.
- Cuzick et al. Prognostic Value of a Combined Estrogen Receptor, Progesterone Receptor, Ki-67, and Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 Immunohistochemical Score and Comparison With the Genomic Health Recurrence Score in Early Breast Cancer. J Clin Oncol. 2011; Oct 11. [Epub ahead of print].
Who does the Research
→ Click here for BCI senior researchers working on breast cancer.
Centre for Cancer Prevention Affiliation:
- Prof Jack Cuzick - Epidemiology & Prevention
- Prof Stephen Duffy - Cancer Screening
Major Funders
- Association for International Cancer Research
- Breast Cancer Campaign
- Cancer Research UK
- MRC
