Recent advances in breast cancer research impacting clinical diagnostic practice : Breast cancer research - where are we now?

During the last decade, the genomics revolution has driven critical advances in molecular oncology and pathology, and a deeper appreciation of heterogeneity that is beginning to reshape our thinking around diagnostic classification. Recent developments have seen existing classification systems modified and improved where possible, gene-based diagnostics implemented and tumour-immune interactions modulated. We present a detailed discussion of this progress, including the advances in understanding of breast tumour classification, for example mixed ductal-lobular tumours and the spectrum of triple-negative breast cancer. The latest information on clinical trials and implementation of gene-based diagnostics, including MammaPrint and Oncotype Dx and others, is synthesized, and emerging targeted therapies as well as the burgeoning immuno-oncology field, and their relevance in breast cancer, are discussed