Open AccessDNA methylation profiling reveals a predominant immune component in breast cancers
Author(s) -
Dedeurwaerder Sarah,
Desmedt Christine,
Calonne Emilie,
Singhal Sandeep K.,
HaibeKains Benjamin,
Defrance Matthieu,
Michiels Stefan,
Volkmar Michael,
Deplus Rachel,
Luciani Judith,
Lallemand Françoise,
Larsimont Denis,
Toussaint Jérôme,
Haussy Sandy,
Rothé Françoise,
Rouas Ghizlane,
Metzger Otto,
Majjaj Samira,
Saini Kamal,
Putmans Pascale,
Hames Gérald,
van Baren Nicolas,
Coulie Pierre G.,
Piccart Martine,
Sotiriou Christos,
Fuks François
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
embo molecular medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.923
H-Index - 107
eISSN - 1757-4684
pISSN - 1757-4676
DOI - 10.1002/emmm.201100801
Subject(s) - dna methylation , epigenetics , breast cancer , epigenome , biology , immune system , cancer research , gene expression profiling , tumor microenvironment , epigenomics , methylation , immunology , cancer , bioinformatics , gene , genetics , gene expression
Breast cancer is a molecularly, biologically and clinically heterogeneous group of disorders. Understanding this diversity is essential to improving diagnosis and optimizing treatment. Both genetic and acquired epigenetic abnormalities participate in cancer, but the involvement of the epigenome in breast cancer and its contribution to the complexity of the disease are still poorly understood. By means of DNA methylation profiling of 248 breast tissues, we have highlighted the existence of previously unrecognized breast cancer groups that go beyond the currently known ‘expression subtypes’. Interestingly, we showed that DNA methylation profiling can reflect the cell type composition of the tumour microenvironment, and in particular a T lymphocyte infiltration of the tumours. Further, we highlighted a set of immune genes having high prognostic value in specific tumour categories. The immune component uncovered here by DNA methylation profiles provides a new perspective for the importance of the microenvironment in breast cancer, holding implications for better management of breast cancer patients.