New therapeutic approaches for invasive lobular carcinoma

Invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) is the second most common histological subtype among newly diagnosed breast cancers. The clinical features of ILC are related to the underlying biology of this disease, which is distinguished by loss of the cell adhesion protein e-cadherin. The resulting poorly cohesive growth pattern is responsible for the comparatively poor detection of ILC both on imaging and palpation. Recent genomic and proteomic discoveries have identified other molecular features of ILC which may lead to its future treatment with more targeted therapy. The presentation, treatment, and outcome of ILC is reviewed and future research directions are considered. © 2014 Springer Science+Business Media.

Duke Scholars

Author Eun-Sil Shelley Hwang Surgical Oncology