Disruption of lineage integrity as a precursor to breast tumor initiation

Abstract

Increase in lineage infidelity and/or imbalance is frequently observed around the earliest stage of breast tumor initiation. In response to disruption of homeostasis, differentiated cells can partially lose their identity and gain cellular plasticity, a process involving epigenome landscape remodeling. This increase of cellular plasticity may promote the malignant transformation of breast tumors and fuel their heterogeneity. Here, we review recent studies that have yield insights into important regulators of lineage integrity and mechanisms that trigger mammary epithelial lineage derail, and evaluate their impacts on breast tumor development.

Keywords: breast tumor initiation; cancer prevention; cellular pliancy; epigenetic priming; lineage infidelity; lineage integrity.