Genetics of breast tumors

Abundant, benign fibroadenoma – breast tumors – may progress into unpredictable, malignant phyllodes tumors or even into invasive carcinoma. Using microarrays PhD-student Arno Kuijper identified the genes involved in this transformation.

Especially the tumor-supressor gene p53 seems to be involved, but also the hypoxia inducable factor 1a and the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) influence tumor development. Kuiper states fibroadenoma can be best classified using p53 and EGFR expression markers, since these genes seem to have the best predictive value for the benign-malignant transition.

In the majority of the cases fibroadenoma are and remain benign tumors. In just two percent of the women these fibroadenoma develop into malignant tumors. Since this only occurs in women aged 35 and beyond, it seems beneficial to preemptively remove these tumors in this group.

Thesis: ‘Pathogenesis and progression of fibroepithelial breast tumors’
PhD-advisor 1: prof. dr. P.J. van Diest
PhD-advisor 2: prof. dr. E. van der Wall
Co-advisor: prof. dr. H. Bürger