NIH researchers discover tissue biomarker that may indicate higher risk of aggressive breast cancer development and death
Research news (May 14, 2025): NIH investigators report that “stromal disruption”—architectural and cellular changes in breast connective (stromal) tissue detected by machine learning—was associated with higher risk of developing aggressive breast cancer among women with benign breast disease and with poorer survival among women with invasive breast cancer, particularly ER-positive disease. The authors suggest stromal disruption could become an inexpensive tissue biomarker, but additional studies are needed to validate clinical utility and prevention/treatment implications.
NIH study links breast stromal disruption with aggressive cancer risk and outcomes
Type: Research news (not a regulatory approval)
Date: May 14, 2025
Source/Journal: National Institutes of Health/NCI; Journal of the National Cancer Institute (Abubakar A, Duggan MA, Fan S, et al., 2025)
NIH researchers describe a set of changes in breast connective tissue (stroma)—termed stromal disruption—that was associated with increased risk of aggressive breast cancer development in women with benign breast disease and poorer survival in women with invasive breast cancer.
Using machine learning, the team evaluated stromal features across 4,023 donated healthy breast tissue samples, 974 benign breast disease biopsies, and 4,223 invasive breast cancer biopsies.
Key reported associations:
- In healthy tissue donors, stromal disruption tracked with risk factors linked to aggressive breast cancer: younger age, ≥2 children, self-reported Black race, obesity, and family history, suggesting these factors may act through a shared stromal pathway.
- In benign breast disease biopsies, substantial stromal disruption was associated with higher risk of developing aggressive breast cancer and more rapid onset compared with minimal/no disruption.
- In invasive breast cancer, greater stromal disruption was associated with more aggressive phenotypes and poorer survival, particularly in estrogen receptor–positive disease.
The authors note potential roles for chronic inflammation and wound healing in stromal disruption and state that additional studies are needed to determine whether preventing these tissue changes could reduce aggressive breast cancer risk. They also highlight that stromal disruption may be inexpensive to assess, potentially aiding adoption where molecular testing is impractical.