Metastatic ER+ Breast Cancer's Genomic Landscape.

Whole-exome and transcriptome sequencing have yielded a clearer picture of the molecular differences between ER-positive primary and metastatic breast cancer. Comparing metastatic breast tumor samples with matched primary tumor tissue, researchers found clinically relevant mutations in various genes, including ESR1 and RB1, that were acquired during metastasis. Their findings may better guide the selection of therapies for patients no longer benefiting from ER-targeted agents. ©2016 American Association for Cancer Research.