These data demonstrate that in addition to the distinct molecular profiles that characterize the neoplastic cells, CAF gene expression is also differentially regulated in distinct subtypes of breast cancer.
Chromatin assembly factor-1 (CAF-1), whose function is critical for maintaining chromatin stability during DNA replication and repair, has been identified as a proliferation marker in breast cancer.
The CAF gene signature is also predictive of poor clinical outcome in breast cancer patients that were treated with tamoxifen mono-therapy, indicating that CAFs may be useful for predicting the response to hormonal therapy.