title: Identification of a unique biological tumor marker in human breast cyst fluid and breast cancer tissue.
abstract: Breast cyst fluid from 35 women was stratified into risk groups based on personal and family history of breast cancer. Mitogenic activity in breast cyst fluid of women at highest risk to develop breast cancer was significantly higher than the activity in the lowest-risk group. There was a direct dose-dependent relationship between mitogenic activity and increased risk of developing breast cancer. Size-exclusion chromatography showed that breast cyst fluid from women at highest risk contained two peaks of growth factor activity: less than 6 kilodaltons (kd), identified as human EGF (epidermal growth factor), and 6 to 18 kd. Moderate-risk group samples demonstrated only the single less than 6 kd peak, whereas the lowest-risk group had insignificant growth-promoting activity. Breast cancer tissue analyzed in a similar manner revealed a predominant 6- to 14-kd peak of mitogenic activity demonstrating the same acid- and heat-stability found in breast cyst fluid.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Children's Hospital & Medical Center, Seattle, Washington 98105.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tapper
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gajdusek
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Moe
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ness
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000032:analysis* / Q000175:diagnosis; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005348:Fibrocystic Breast Disease / Q000032:analysis* / Q000175:diagnosis; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008938:Mitosis / Q000187:drug effects; D008970:Molecular Weight; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D006133:Growth Substances; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor