A gene transcription signature associated with hormone independence in a subset of both breast and prostate cancers
2007

Gene Signature Linked to Hormone Independence in Breast and Prostate Cancers

Sample size: 295 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Creighton Chad J

Primary Institution: Baylor College of Medicine

Hypothesis

The molecular mechanisms of hormone independence are similar between invasive breast cancer and prostate cancer.

Conclusion

The study suggests that hormone receptors can be bypassed in some breast and prostate cancers through similar growth factor signaling pathways.

Supporting Evidence

  • A set of 81 genes was identified that were differentially expressed between ER- and ER+ clinical breast tumors.
  • The common gene signature of hormone independence was used to identify a subset of clinically localized primary prostate tumors.
  • Both ER- breast and AI prostate cell lines were significantly enriched for transcriptional targets of EGFR.

Takeaway

Some breast and prostate cancers can grow without hormones by using similar signals, which could help doctors find better treatments.

Methodology

The study analyzed gene expression profiles from clinical breast tumors and prostate cancer cell lines to identify common gene signatures.

Limitations

The study had a small number of prostate cancer cell lines analyzed.

Statistical Information

P-Value

1E-11

Statistical Significance

p<0.01

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1471-2164-8-199

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