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Detection of hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor receptor (c-Met) in axillary drainage after operations for breast cancer using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction.
- Source :
-
Breast cancer research : BCR [Breast Cancer Res] 2003; Vol. 5 (3), pp. R71-6. Date of Electronic Publication: 2003 Mar 06. - Publication Year :
- 2003
-
Abstract
- Background: The diverse biological effects of hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF) are mediated by c-Met, which is preferentially expressed on epithelial cells. Met signaling has a role in normal cellular activities, and may be associated with the development and progression of malignant processes. In this study we examined whether Met can be detected in the axillary drainage from patients who underwent conservative operations for breast cancer, and its prognostic significance.<br />Methods: Thirty-one consecutive patients with invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast suitable for breast-conserving treatment were studied. The output of the drain that had been placed in the axilla during the operation was collected, and the presence of Met and beta-actin were assessed by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assays. The data were compared with the pathological features of the tumor and the axillary lymph nodes, and with the estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor status.<br />Results: RT-PCR of the axillary lymphatic drainage was positive for Met in 23 (74.2%) of the patients. Positive assays were correlated with increasing tumor size and grade, with capillary and lymphatic invasion, and with lymph node metastasis (P < 0.02, for all comparisons). All 12 patients with axillary lymph node metastases had positive assays for Met, compared with 57.9% of patients without lymph node metastases. All five patients with tumor involvement in the margins of the resection had positive assays for Met in their lymphatic fluid, compared with 18 of 26 positive assays (69.2%) for patients without involved margins (P < 0.04). Finally, Met showed negative correlations with positivity for estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor (P < 0.02).<br />Conclusion: Met can be detected in the axillary fluids of patients with breast cancer and its expression in the axillary drainage may have potential as a prognostic factor. This finding might be relevant to therapeutic considerations, because a positive assay for Met in histologically node-negative patients might point to the need to search for node microinvasion or involvement of the excision margins with tumor.
- Subjects :
- Axilla surgery
Biomarkers, Tumor biosynthesis
Biomarkers, Tumor genetics
Breast Neoplasms genetics
Breast Neoplasms surgery
Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast secondary
Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast surgery
Exudates and Transudates chemistry
Female
Humans
Lymph Nodes pathology
Lymph Nodes surgery
Lymphatic Metastasis genetics
Lymphatic Metastasis pathology
Middle Aged
Neoplasm Invasiveness genetics
Neoplasm Invasiveness pathology
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met genetics
RNA, Messenger biosynthesis
Receptors, Estrogen biosynthesis
Receptors, Progesterone biosynthesis
Axilla pathology
Breast Neoplasms pathology
Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast pathology
Drainage
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met biosynthesis
Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction methods
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1465-542X
- Volume :
- 5
- Issue :
- 3
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Breast cancer research : BCR
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 12793903
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1186/bcr588