Imagine beyond: recent breakthroughs and next challenges in mammary gland biology and breast cancer research

Abstract

On 8 December 2022 the organizing committee of the European Network for Breast Development and Cancer labs (ENBDC) held its fifth annual Think Tank meeting in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Here, we embraced the opportunity to look back to identify the most prominent breakthroughs of the past ten years and to reflect on the main challenges that lie ahead for our field in the years to come. The outcomes of these discussions are presented in this position paper, in the hope that it will serve as a summary of the current state of affairs in mammary gland biology and breast cancer research for early career researchers and other newcomers in the field, and as inspiration for scientists and clinicians to move the field forward.

Keywords: Breast cancer heterogeneity; Lineage tracing; Model systems; Prevention and early detection; Single cell analyses; Treatment and recurrence.

Fig. 1

Photo of Scala a Pioli, by the Italian artist Massimo Uberti. This piece of light art was on display during the 2022 Amsterdam Light Festival, placed on top of one of the buildings of the University of Amsterdam and seemingly headed into uncharted territory. Image used with permission from the photographer, Sara Kerklaan. This photograph was first published on Folia, the independent online medium for students and staff of the University of Amsterdam