Breast cancer heterogeneity and its implication in personalized precision therapy
Liantao Guo, Deguang Kong, Jianhua Liu, Ling Zhan, Lan Luo, Weijie Zheng, Qingyuan Zheng, Chuang Chen, Shengrong Sun
Abstract
Breast cancer heterogeneity determines cancer progression, treatment effects, and prognosis. However, the precise mechanism for this heterogeneity remains unknown owing to its complexity. Here, we summarize the origins of breast cancer heterogeneity and its influence on disease progression, recurrence, and therapeutic resistance. We review the possible mechanisms of heterogeneity and the research methods used to analyze it. We also highlight the importance of cell interactions for the origins of breast cancer heterogeneity, which can be further categorized into cooperative and competitive interactions. Finally, we provide new insights into precise individual treatments based on heterogeneity.