Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women. Hypoxia occurs in breast cancer and in other solid tumours due to the tumour outgrowing the existing vasculature. Hypoxia leads to an adaptive response, orchestrated by HIF-1 (hypoxia-inducible factor-1), that is crucial for tumour progression and therapy resistance responsible for poor patient outcome. In several studies, downstream targets of HIF-1alpha were considered as hypoxia markers. The biological heterogeneity of breast cancer has been investigated through genome profiling technologies. The recent data suggest that treatment outcome depends on individual genetic features and that the hypoxia signature is a significant prognostic factor. The identification of molecular biomarkers with the potential to predict treatment outcome is essential for selecting patients to receive the most beneficial therapy, and in the future may drive stratification in clinical trials.

Original publication

DOI

10.1016/j.ejca.2008.09.025

Type

Journal article

Journal

Eur J Cancer

Publication Date

12/2008

Volume

44

Pages

2766 - 2773

Keywords

Biomarkers, Tumor, Breast Neoplasms, Female, Gene Expression Profiling, Humans, Hypoxia, Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit, Prognosis, Treatment Outcome