Taxane benefit in breast cancer—a role for grade and chromosomal stability

In this Perspectives article, the authors propose that lower histological grade in breast cancer might be a hallmark of relative chromosomal stability, which in turn might be predictive of additional benefit from taxane-based chemotherapy in women with oestrogen-receptor-positive cancer. They interpret published data to on the relationships between tumour grade, chromosomal instability and intratumour heterogeneity and discuss the potential use of chromosomal instability to tailor therapy.