Molecular Biology of Inflammatory Breast Cancer: Applications to Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Therapy

Issue title: Inflammatory Breast Cancer

Guest editors: Sandra Swain

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Wu, Mei | Merajver, Sofia D.^{; *}

Affiliations: Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology and Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Michigan, USA | NCI, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author for reprints and correspondence: Sofia D. Merajver, M.D., Ph.D., University of Michigan Health System, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, 1500 E. Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0948, USA. E-mail: smerajve@umich.edu

Abstract: Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) presents with unique clinical characteristics (erythema, warming, peau d'orange), rapid progression, and poor survival compared to non-IBC breast cancers. Modern combined modality treatment has significantly improved overall survival. However, IBC treatment remains a major challenge. Recently, rapid progress has been made in the molecular characterization of IBC. In this review, we discuss the current advances in understanding the genetic determinants of IBC with emphasis on their present and potential applications to diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment.

DOI: 10.3233/BD-2006-22104

Journal: Breast Disease, vol. 22, no. 1, pp. 25-34, 2006