Differences in the tumor microenvironment between African-American and European-American breast cancer patients.

ABSTRACT:

Background

African-American breast cancer patients experience higher mortality rates than European-American patients despite having a lower incidence of the disease. We tested the hypothesis that intrinsic differences in the tumor biology may contribute to this cancer health disparity.

Methods and results

Using laser capture microdissection, we examined genome-wide mRNA expression specific to tumor epithelium and tumor stroma in 18 African-American and 17 European-American patients. Numerous genes were differentially expressed between these two patient groups and a two-gene signature in the tumor epithelium distinguished between them. To identify the biological processes in tumors that are different by race/ethnicity, Gene Ontology and disease association analyses were perfo

SUBMITTER: Martin DN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2638012 | biostudies-literature | 2009

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature