Marker genes for circulating tumour cells predict survival in breast cancer
Author Information
Author(s): Weigelt B, Bosma A J, Hart A A M, Rodenhuis S, van 't Veer L J
Primary Institution: The Netherlands Cancer Institute
Hypothesis
The presence of specific marker genes in circulating tumour cells can predict survival outcomes in patients with metastasized breast cancer.
Conclusion
The presence of circulating tumour cell mRNA is associated with worse overall survival in breast cancer patients.
Supporting Evidence
- Thirty percent of patients had a positive test for circulating tumour cells.
- Patients with a positive test had a median survival of 6 months compared to 18 months for those with a negative test.
- The presence of circulating tumour cells was associated with bone and liver metastases.
Takeaway
Doctors can check for tiny cancer cells in the blood of breast cancer patients to see if they might not live as long.
Methodology
The study used real-time PCR to detect four specific marker genes in blood samples from breast cancer patients.
Potential Biases
There may be risks of bias due to the selection of patients and the retrospective analysis of clinical data.
Limitations
The study was limited by the retrospective nature and the potential for confounding factors affecting survival.
Participant Demographics
Patients were predominantly women with advanced breast cancer, aged between 31 and 82 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.0053
Statistical Significance
p=0.0053
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website