Myofibroblastic stromal reaction and lymph node status in invasive breast carcinoma: Possible role of the TGF-β1/TGF-βR1 pathway

The microenvironment modulates tissue specificity in the normal breast and in breast cancer. The stromal loss of CD34 expression and acquisition of SMA myofibroblastic features may constitute a prerequisite for tumor invasiveness in breast carcinoma.