RESUMO
BACKGROUND: In Western countries, breast cancer incidence and mortality are higher than in Mediterranean countries. These differences have been ascribed to environmental factors but also to late-stage diagnostic and biological specific characteristics. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between September 2002 and September 2005, we collected clinical data by phone counselling 180 French and Mediterranean breast cancer patients and performed microarray experiments. RESULTS: Characteristics of breast cancer in patients from Lebanon, Tunisia and Morocco were more aggressive (more SBR grade III and positive node invasion) and patients were 10 years younger at diagnosis. Sixteen differentially expressed genes such as MMP9, VEGF, PHB1, BRCA1, TFAP2C, GJA1 and TFF1 were also found. Additionally, an up-regulation of cytokeratins KRT8 and KRT18 may indicate a luminal B subtype in "South" (Lebanon, Tunisia and Morocco) tumors while "North" (France) tumors may more frequently be luminal A type. CONCLUSION: This study allowed the identification of specific clinical and transcriptomic parameters in patients from South Mediterranean countries.