Telomerase activity, and tissue polypeptide specific antigen (TPS) in Egyptian breast cancer patients.
OBJECTIVE
Breast cancer is the most common malignancy among Egyptian women. The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of both telomerase and TPS estimation in assessment of breast cancer.


METHODS
The study included 40 patients with breast cancer, and 20 patients with benign breast diseases. Telomerase activity in breast tissues was assessed using TRAP assay. TPS was measured in sera of the patients by ELISA.


RESULTS
Telomerase positivity was 15% in benign group vs. 60% in malignant group (p = 0.0009). It was significantly correlated to stage, and lymph node status (p < 0.02). Telomerase positivity showed significant correlation to tumor recurrence (p = 0.0076) in a follow-up period of 36 months. Mean rank of TPS was significantly higher in malignant than benign groups (p < 0.001), and in telomerase positive than telomerase negative patients (p < 0.001). In malignant group, mean rank of TPS was significantly higher in late stages (p < 0.002), in higher grade (p < 0.05), in larger tumor size (p < 0.01), and in lymph node positive patients (p < 0.001). ROC curve was utilized to choose the best cutoff for serum TPS (88 U/L). At this cutoff, the sensitivity was 95%, and the specificity was 75%. At a higher cutoff (109 U/L), TPS positivity was significantly correlated to stage, grade, lymph node status, and telomerase positivity (p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Telomerase positivity and serum TPS might be used as additional markers for assessment of breast cancer.
Kassim
S K
SK
Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Abbassia, Cairo, Egypt 11566. samar_kassim@hotmail.com
Fawzy
H
H
El Rassad
M M
MM
Khalil
F K
FK
Khalifa
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D001941:Breast Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000737:chemistry / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D018450:Disease Progression; D004534:Egypt; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism; D010455:Peptides / Q000097:blood*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D012372:ROC Curve; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D019098:Telomerase / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism
D015415:Biomarkers; D010455:Peptides; C089984:tissue polypeptide specific antigen; D019098:Telomerase