Breast Phyllodes Tumor

Breast Phyllodes Tumors are a rare form of fibroepithelial neoplasm of the breast, accounting for roughly 0.3% to 1% of all primary breast tumors. We at Protheragen provide complete diagnostics and therapeutics development services specific to Breast Phyllodes Tumors.

Overview of Breast Phyllodes Tumor

Phyllodes tumors of the breast are considered one of the rarest fibroepithelial neoplasms, accounting for less than one percent of all primary tumors of the breast. These tumors are defined by their distinctive histological construction, commonly referred to as leaf-like because of their branching stromal projections. On the basis of the histological characteristics, they fall into three types: benign, borderline, and malignant. In general, benign Phyllodes tumors have well-defined borders, mild stromal cellularity, and very low levels of atypia. Tumors at the borderline show moderate levels of stroma cellularity and greater levels of atypia, while malignant tumors have infiltrative borders with diffuse stromal cellularity, high levels of nuclear atypia, and increased mitotic index. Malignant phyllodes tumors can recur locally and metastasize to distant sites, particularly the lungs and bones.

Fig.1 Morphological features of a malignant phyllodes tumor. (Lissidini G., et al., 2022)

Pathogenesis of Breast Phyllodes Tumor

The pathogenesis of breast phyllodes tumors is multifactorial and interplays epithelial and stromal components complexly, including: Abnormalities are included in the Wnt signaling pathway, including overexpression of β-catenin, IGF-I, and IGF-II. These change factors relate to additional epithelial proliferation, and increased fibroblast and stromal overgrowth. As well, more definitive genetic studies indicate specific changes such as chromosomal region gains and losses 1q gain and 13q loss, and gene alteration including MED12, MDM2, RARA, FLNA, SETD2, and KMT2. All of these factors may act independently or cumulatively in enabling the biological action and escalating the progression of phyllodes tumors.

Diagnostics Development for Breast Phyllodes Tumor

• Immunohistochemistry
  Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is useful in the differential diagnosis of Phyllodes tumors, especially in differentiating them from other breast lesions like fibroadenomas and spindle cell/metaplastic carcinomas. Take, for example, the metaplastic carcinoma spindle cells which are typically positive for keratins and p63. This is not the case for malignant Phyllodes tumors spindle cells, which possess keratins that are negative, while p63 is positive, but only in 20% of tumors.
• Molecular Diagnostics
  Next-generation sequencing, as well as other molecular methods, can detect specific genetic changes linked to Phyllodes tumors. For example, recurrent MED12 mutations are often detected in both fibroadenomas and Phyllodes tumors, and FLNA, SETD2, and KMT2D mutations are noted in Phyllodes tumors alone. Research of entire collections of DNA for distinguishing features combined with searching through the genome revealed notable amounts of copy number variations and genomic amplifications and deletions, which could offer important targets for therapeutics.

Therapeutics of Breast Phyllodes Tumor

Disclaimer: Protheragen focuses on providing preclinical research services. This table is for information exchange purposes only. This table is not a treatment plan recommendation. For guidance on treatment options, please visit a regular hospital.

Our Services

Protheragen provides full-scope research services for the diagnostics and therapeutic development of breast phyllodes tumors. Our services encompass a wide range of capabilities, from histopathological analysis and immunohistochemical staining to advanced genomic studies and targeted therapy development.

Diagnostics Development

• Karyotype Analysis Service
• Omics Analysis Service
• Biomarker Development Service
• Artificial Intelligence Service

Therapeutic Development

• Anticancer Peptide
• Gene Therapy
• Immunotherapy
• Monoclonal Antibody
• Phytotherapy
• Small Molecule Drug
• Therapeutic Cancer Vaccine

Preclinical Research

• Pharmacodynamics Study Services
• Pharmacokinetics Study Services
• Drug Safety Evaluation Services

Disease Models

• D492, HMT-3522S1 and MCF10A Cell Lines
• Organoids from Normal Breast Cells and Tumor Tissue
• Patient-Derived Xenograft (PDX) Models
• Genetically Engineered Mouse Models (GEMMs)

Protheragen's team of experts works closely with clients to design and implement customized preclinical studies, ensuring that each project is aligned with specific research goals. If you are interested in our services, please feel free to contact us.

References

• Lissidini, Germana, et al. "Malignant phyllodes tumor of the breast: a systematic review." Pathologica 114.2 (2022): 111.
• Simpson, Ashley, Pamela Li, and Jill Dietz. "Diagnosis and management of phyllodes tumors of the breast." Annals of Breast Surgery 5 (2021).

All of our services and products are intended for preclinical research use only and cannot be used to diagnose, treat or manage patients.