Abstract 2325 Using breast tissue as a cell and molecular observatory for unraveling the role of aging in cancer susceptibility

Aging is the greatest risk factor for most cancers, and the mechanisms underlying increased susceptibility to cancer with age are not well understood. This presentation will address the pivotal role of aging in breast cancer susceptibility, focusing on the mammary gland microenvironment's cellular and molecular alterations. It will explore how age-induced changes in mammary epithelial cells may predispose to cancer, highlighting the impact of loss of lineage fidelity and cellular interactions with other cells and ECM. Research utilizing primary human cell culture in vitro models alongside human tissue analysis will be examined, revealing how aging reshapes the microenvironment to influence cell competition and genomic integrity. The session aims to deepen understanding of breast cancer as an age-associated disease, spotlighting potential molecular vulnerabilities that arise with age, which may serve as targets for interventions that reduce breast cancer incidence in older populations.