DNA methylation profiling in the Carolina Breast Cancer Study defines cancer subclasses differing in clinicopathologic characteristics and survival

Conclusions: This study demonstrates that epigenetic patterns are strongly associated with HR status, subtype, and p53 mutation status, and may show heterogeneity within tumor subclass. Among HR+?breast tumors, a subset exhibiting a gene signature characterized by hypermethylation of developmental genes and poorer clinicopathologic features may have prognostic value, and requires further study. Genes differentially methylated between clinically-important tumor subsets have roles in differentiation, development, and tumor growth and may be critical to establishing and maintaining tumor phenotypes and clinical outcomes.
Source: Breast Cancer Research - Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Source Type: research