SOMATIC GENETIC ALTERATIONS IN BREAST-CAN CER

Genetic events involved in breast tumor formation are described. Abnor malities known point to determine the genes which participate in tumor igenesis. Mechanisms involved should be oncogene activation, tumor sup pressor gene inactivation, abnormal protein expression. Multiple genet ic alterations are probably necessary for a normal tissue to become ma lignant Most of these genetic alterations seem to be somatic. Only I o r 2 steps ran be inherited and in familial cancer only (5% of breast c ancers). characterization of altered genes at somatic level during car cinogenesis will allow progress in the understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved and in the use these genetic markers in clinical o ncology.