Document Type
Article
Publication Date
8-24-2025
Abstract
Multifocal and multicentric breast cancers (MMBC), commonly referred to as multiple synchronous ipsilateral breast cancers, are heterogeneous diseases. There is a high degree of diversity between and within the tumors of a MMBC-bearing patient. Tumor heterogeneity can describe multiple features, such as morphological and molecular profiles. Knowledge about a patient's tumor heterogeneity can be used to determine a prognosis and treatment plan. However, transferring our growing knowledge of heterogeneity in MMBC into a clinical setting remains a challenge due to the large degree of diversity between tumor microenvironments and the cancer cells that tumors are composed of. This review article discusses our recent understanding of heterogeneity in MMBC tumor molecular subtypes, in hopes of broadening our knowledge of breast cancer molecular subtypes and assisting in the development of tailored patient treatments.
Keywords
Breast Cancer, Biomarkers, Heterogeneity, Multifocal and Multicentric
Disciplines
Cancer Biology
Sponsoring Agency
Department of Biology, Berry Summer Thesis Institute, University Honors Program
eCommons Citation
Schmitz, Anna M., "Heterogeneity of Molecular Subtypes in Multifocal and Multicentric Breast Cancer" (2025). Proceedings of the Berry Summer Thesis Institute, 2025. 1.
https://ecommons.udayton.edu/uhp_bsti_2025/1
Comments
I would like to thank the University of Dayton Honors Program and the Berry Family Foundation for making it possible to pursue my interest in research through the Berry Summer Thesis Institute. Additionally, I would like to extend my gratitude to the university’s Department of Biology for supporting me this summer and supplying me with resources I needed to conduct my research. Furthermore, I would like to give special thanks to my mentor, Dr. Loan Bui, for her valuable guidance, support, and encouragement through my research process in her lab. Lastly, I would like to thank my lab mates for their endless amounts of collaboration and inspiration that supported me throughout my time in the lab this summer.