Microarray analysis identifies an expression signature for inflammatory breast cancer

Abstract

The molecular bases of inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) are poorly elucidated. Gene expression profiling of small and heterogeneous series of clinical samples revealed the transcriptional heterogeneity of IBC, the existence of molecular subtypes similar to non-IBC (nIBC). Differences in gene expression between IBC and nIBC have been noted but, without gene overlap across the reported signatures. We have recently reported the first integrated analysis of IBC, combining analysis of DNA copy number alterations and RNA expression. We showed the genomic heterogeneity of the disease, and its genomic complexity and instability. We reported 24 potential IBC-specific candidate genes that could explain at least in part the IBC phenotype and/or breast cancer aggressiveness. In the future, larger series of IBC must be profiled calling for urgent international collaborations.