Mixed Ductal and Lobular Carcinoma (mDLC) is an unusual and particularly difficult type of breast cancer that combines the two distinct forms of invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) and invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) within a single tumor. Protheragen offers comprehensive preclinical therapeutics development services tailored to the unique challenges of mDLC.
Overview of Mixed Ductal and Lobular Carcinoma (mDLC)
Mixed Ductal and Lobular Carcinoma (mDLC) is an uncommon subtype of breast cancer that is complex due to the presence of both ductal and lobular histological features in a single tumor. Morphological heterogeneity of mDLC is different when compared to more frequently encountered types of breast cancer, like invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) and invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC). In the World Health Organization (WHO) classification in 2019, mDLC was described as tumors constituting not less than 10% of a specialized histologic subtype (e.g., ILC) and not less than 10% of a non-specialized type (e.g., IDC). This definition has changed from previous criteria due to the need to better understand and explain the disease. Mixed Ductal and Lobular Carcinoma shows a combination of clinical and pathological features with both IDC and ILC, making it a tough subtype to manage.
Fig.1 Mixed invasive ductal lobular carcinoma contains coexisting ductal and lobular histologies. (Nasrazadani A.,
et al., 2023)
Pathogenesis of Mixed Ductal and Lobular Carcinoma (mDLC)
The development of mDLC involves an interplay of genetic and molecular changes. Other important findings in recent studies are the following:
E-cadherin Complex Abnormalities
While ILC shows loss of E-cadherin, mDLC has aberrant E-cadherin expression. This indicates that the mDLC lobular component may emerge from ductal progenitors via an alternative pathway.
Genomic studies have detected mutations in shared genes like BRCA2, TBX3, and TP53, which are present in both ductal and lobular components, suggesting they arose from the same tumor.
Studies at the molecular level, employing strategies such as comparative genomic hybridization (cCGH) and whole-exome sequencing (WES), argue that the various parts of mDLC possess a strikingly high mutational concordance, which supports the proposal of clonal evolution from a single progenitor.
Diagnostics Development for Mixed Ductal and Lobular Carcinoma (mDLC)
- Histopathological Analysis
Histopathological examination assists in finding accompanying ductal and lobular constituents within mDLC. Immunohistochemical (IHC) staining for E-cadherin, β-catenin, and p120 catenin aids in separating ductal features from lobular ones. For instance, E-cadherin staining can show the existence of lobular components due to their peculiar expression patterns.
- Genomic and Molecular Profiling
More sophisticated techniques, such as cCGH and WES, are employed to detect genetic changes and clonal relationships within the neoplasm. These techniques assist in deciphering the basic molecular pathways and highlighting possible therapeutic options. For example, detection of BRCA2 mutations provides rationale for administering PARP inhibitors.
Therapeutics of Mixed Ductal and Lobular Carcinoma (mDLC)
| Therapeutics |
Drug Name |
Target |
Description |
Stage |
| Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy |
Various (e.g., anthracyclines, taxanes) |
Cancer cells |
Chemotherapy is administered before surgery to reduce tumor size and improve surgical outcomes. |
Approved |
| Neoadjuvant Endocrine Therapy |
Hormone receptor modulators (e.g., tamoxifen, aromatase inhibitors) |
Hormone receptors (ER, PR) |
Used in hormone receptor-positive cancers to block the effects of hormones that promote cancer growth. |
Approved |
| Adjuvant Hormone Therapy |
Tamoxifen, Aromatase inhibitors |
Hormone receptors (ER, PR) |
Given after surgery to reduce the risk of cancer recurrence in hormone receptor-positive cancers. |
Approved |
| Adjuvant Chemotherapy |
Various (e.g., anthracyclines, taxanes) |
Cancer cells |
Chemotherapy is given after surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells and reduce the risk of recurrence. |
Approved |
| Radiation Therapy |
N/A |
Tumor cells |
Uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells, often used after surgery to reduce the risk of local recurrence. |
Approved |
| Targeted Therapy |
HER2 inhibitors (e.g., trastuzumab) |
HER2 receptor |
Used in HER2-positive cancers to block the HER2 protein and reduce cancer cell growth. |
Approved |
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's diagnostics and therapeutics development services for mDLC are defined by the commitment of scientific rigor as well as innovation. We invest in advanced technology and use the most modern techniques to deliver precision and dependability. Our holistic methodology guarantees that every dimension of mDLC is thoroughly addressed, including diagnosis and therapy assessment, which makes it easy for our customers.
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
Disease Models
- Tumor Tissue Implantation Models
- Subcutaneous or Orthotopic Implantation Models
- BRCA2 Genetic Engineering Models
- TP53 Genetic Engineering Models
- DMBA-Induced Models
Protheragen understands that each client has unique needs and requirements. Our customized services are tailored to meet these specific needs, providing flexible and customized solutions for mDLC diagnostics and therapeutics development. If you are interested in our services, please feel free to contact us.
References
- Nasrazadani, Azadeh, et al. "Mixed invasive ductal lobular carcinoma is clinically and pathologically more similar to invasive lobular than ductal carcinoma." British journal of cancer 128.6 (2023): 1030-1039.
- McCart Reed, Amy E., et al. "Mixed ductal-lobular carcinomas: evidence for progression from ductal to lobular morphology." The Journal of pathology 244.4 (2018): 460-468.
All of our services and products are intended for preclinical research use only and cannot be used to diagnose, treat or manage patients.
