Detection of MAGE-A3 in breast cancer patients’ sentinel lymph nodes
2001
Detecting MAGE-A3 in Breast Cancer Patients' Lymph Nodes
Sample size: 77
publication
Evidence: moderate
Author Information
Author(s): Wascher R A, Bostick P J, Huynh K T, Turner R, Qi K, Giuliano A E, Hoon D S B
Primary Institution: John Wayne Cancer Institute, Saint John's Health Center
Hypothesis
MAGE-A3 mRNA can be used as a molecular marker for detecting tumor cells in sentinel lymph nodes of breast cancer patients.
Conclusion
MAGE-A3 mRNA is a highly specific marker that can help detect breast cancer cells in sentinel lymph nodes.
Supporting Evidence
- MAGE-A3 mRNA was detected in 41 of 77 patients.
- 40% of sentinel lymph nodes contained tumor cells.
- MAGE-A3 mRNA was positive in 38% of histopathologically negative sentinel lymph nodes.
- MAGE-A3 expression was more frequent in infiltrating lobular carcinoma compared to infiltrating ductal carcinoma.
Takeaway
This study found that a special marker called MAGE-A3 can help doctors find cancer cells in the lymph nodes of breast cancer patients.
Methodology
MAGE-A3 mRNA analysis was performed on sentinel lymph nodes using RT-PCR and Southern blot analysis.
Participant Demographics
77 AJCC Stage I–IIIA breast cancer patients.
Statistical Information
P-Value
<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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