Researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have discovered a series of changes in the architecture and cell composition of breast connective tissues, known as stromal tissue. These changes are linked to an increased risk of developing aggressive breast cancer in women with benign breast disease and poorer survival rates among those with invasive breast cancer. This process, termed stromal disruption, may serve as a biomarker for identifying high-risk women.
The study suggests that understanding stromal disruption could inform the development of prevention and treatment strategies targeting the stromal microenvironment. Stromal disruption is also inexpensive to assess, making it accessible in low-resource settings where molecular analysis is not feasible.
In their research, NIH scientists employed machine learning to detect subtle changes in 4,023 samples of healthy breast tissue, 974 biopsies with benign breast disease, and 4,223 biopsies with invasive breast cancer. Factors such as chronic inflammation and wound healing were noted to contribute to stromal disruption.
The researchers highlighted the need for further studies to explore whether strategies like lifestyle changes and anti-inflammatory medications could prevent these tissue changes and reduce aggressive breast cancer risk, especially among high-risk women.
Mustapha Abubakar, M.D., Ph.D., from the Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics at the National Cancer Institute stated that “Unraveling the role of stromal disruption in aggressive breast cancer etiology and outcomes” appears May 14, 2025, in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) leads efforts to reduce cancer prevalence and improve patient outcomes through a wide range of research initiatives. The NIH conducts medical research on various diseases. For more information about NCI's work or NIH's programs, visit their respective websites or contact their centers.
