Specifically, the researchers deleted the BRCA1 gene in mouse basal stem cells or luminal intermediate cells. They discovered that although BRCA1 deletion caused tumors to form from both basal stem cells and luminal intermediate cells, only the latter had features that were identical to both human BRCA1 tumors and the majority of human basal-like breast cancers not associated with BRCA1 mutations.
Taken together, these findings suggest that the majority of so-called basal-like breast cancers are derived from luminal intermediate cells and not from basal stem cells as was originally expected. "Our results highlight luminal intermediate cells as a key to understanding the origins of basal-like breast cancer," concludes Dr. Smalley. "This has important implications for treatment and prevention strategies for this aggressive disease."
Source-Eurekalert