Comparing Mouse and Human Breast Cancer Models
Author Information
Author(s): Herschkowitz Jason I, Simin Karl, Weigman Victor J, Mikaelian Igor, Usary Jerry, Hu Zhiyuan, Rasmussen Karen E, Jones Laundette P, Assefnia Shahin, Chandrasekharan Subhashini, Backlund Michael G, Yin Yuzhi, Khramtsov Andrey I, Bastein Roy, Quackenbush John, Glazer Robert I, Brown Powel H, Green Jeffrey E, Kopelovich Levy, Furth Priscilla A, Palazzo Juan P, Olopade Olufunmilayo I, Bernard Philip S, Churchill Gary A, Van Dyke Terry, Perou Charles M
Primary Institution: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Hypothesis
How well do mouse models of breast cancer represent human breast tumors?
Conclusion
Many characteristics of human breast cancer subtypes are conserved in mouse models, but no single model fully replicates all features of a specific human subtype.
Supporting Evidence
- Mouse models showed gene expression patterns similar to human breast cancer subtypes.
- Some murine tumors displayed characteristics of human basal-like breast tumors.
- Shared expression features provide a framework for integrating murine models with human data.
Takeaway
Scientists studied 13 types of mouse breast cancer to see how similar they are to human breast cancer, and found that while they share some traits, they are not exactly the same.
Methodology
Gene expression profiles from 13 murine models were analyzed using DNA microarrays and compared to human breast tumors.
Potential Biases
Differences in mammary physiologies and potential unknown species-specific pathway differences.
Limitations
No single mouse model recapitulated all the expression features of a given human subtype.
Participant Demographics
Mice from various strains were used, but specific demographics for human samples were not detailed.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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