Molecular classification of breast cancer

a contemporary view

Abstract

Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease with different evolutions. The progress of biotechnology allowed its molecular classification based in genetic expression profiles, as follows: luminal A, luminal B, HER-2 superexpressor, basal-like, normal-like, claudin-low and molecular apocrine. Biologic and molecular characteristics of the subtypes are presented, as well as their prognostic importance. There is strong correlation between the DNA microarray classification and immunohistochemistry, making easier ITS usage in the daily practice. There is a wide spectrum of triple-negative neoplasias (estrogen and progesterone negative receptors, and HER-2 oncogene negative) and it is possible to discriminate them in several genomic forms.