Are gene expression profiles of estrogen receptor-positive and estrogen receptor-negative breast cancers detectable in histologically normal breast epithelium?
Gene expression differs in NlEpi of breasts containing ER+ compared with ER- breast cancers. These differences echo differences in ER+ and ER- invasive cancers. NlEpi gene expression may help elucidate subtype-specific risk signatures, identify early genomic events in cancer development, and locate targets for prevention and therapy.
Our results suggest that the APE1 -656T>G but not the 1349T>G polymorphism may influence the susceptibility and progression of breast cancer in the Chinese population. Large population-based prospective studies are required to validate these findings.