Inflammatory stimuli promote proliferative dominance of basal-like mammary epithelial cells

Background: The molecular mechanisms underlying invasive progression of DCIS are still poorly understood. It has been proposed that evolution to the more aggressive IDC forms is due to the competition for proliferative dominance among cell subclones co-existing within the tumour. Microenvironment and, in particular, inflammatory infiltration, has a major impact on biological behaviour of tumour cells. The aim of the study was to test the hypothesis that inflammatory stimuli elicit differential response of subclones (basal vs luminal) of the DCIS tumour and proliferative dominance of basal-like mammary epithelial cells.