Genomic Changes in Breast Cancer Cells from Blood Samples
Author Information
Author(s): Austrup F, Uciechowski P, Eder C, Böckmann B, Suchy B, Driesel G, Jäckel S, Kusiak I, Grill H-J, Giesing M
Primary Institution: Institut für Molekulare NanoTechnologie, Recklinghausen, Germany
Hypothesis
The study evaluates the prognostic value of genomic alterations in minimal residual cancer cells from breast cancer patients.
Conclusion
Genomic imbalances in disseminated tumor cells are significantly associated with worse prognosis in breast cancer patients.
Supporting Evidence
- Significant correlations were found between genomic alterations of the DCC and c-erbB-2 genes and relapse-free survival.
- Increasing numbers of genomic imbalances were associated with worse prognosis of recurrent disease.
- Genomic imbalances were identified as an independent prognostic factor.
Takeaway
Researchers looked at tiny cancer cells in the blood of breast cancer patients and found that changes in their genes can help predict how well the patients will do.
Methodology
Disseminated tumor cells were purified from blood, and genomic imbalances were analyzed using DNA from these cells.
Participant Demographics
Breast cancer patients.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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