A new study published in the journal Nature finds there are four main types of breast cancer tumors.
The study, which is part of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Cancer Genome Atlas project, yielded important information about the genetic and epigenetic abnormalities that cause breast cancer, as well as significant data to support breast cancer therapy development.
In the agency’s announcement of the study, NCI Director Harold Varmus, M.D. said, “The molecular similarity of one of the principal subtypes of breast cancer to that found in ovarian cancer gives us additional leverage to compare treatments and outcomes across these two cancers. This treasure trove of genetic information will need to be examined in great detail to identify how we can use it functionally and clinically.”
The NCI announcement also links the study to previous Cancer Genome Atlas research on ovarian cancer, colorectal cancer, glioblastoma multiforme and lung cancer.
