Application of a multigene reverse transcription-PCR assay for detection of mammaglobin and complementary transcribed genes in breast cancer lymph nodes.
BACKGROUND
Mammaglobin mRNA expression is found in 70-80% of primary and metastatic breast tumor biopsies. The potential breast tumor markers B305D, B726P, and gamma-aminobutyrate type A receptor pi subunit (GABApi) complement the expression of mammaglobin. Collectively the expression profile of these four genes could be used as a diagnostic and prognostic indicator for breast cancer.


METHODS
A multigene reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) assay was established to detect the expression of mammaglobin, GABApi, B305D, and B726P simultaneously. Specific primers and TaqMan probes were used to analyze combined mRNA expression profiles in primary breast tumors and metastatic lymph node specimens.


RESULTS
The multigene RT-PCR assay detected substantial expression signals in 27 of 27 primary tumor and 50 of 50 metastatic breast lymph node samples. Specificity studies demonstrated no significant expression signal in 27 non-breast cancer lymph nodes, in 22 various healthy tissue samples, or in 14 colon tumor samples.


CONCLUSIONS
The novel RT-PCR-based assay described here provides a sensitive detection system for disseminated breast tumor cells in lymph nodes. In addition, this multigene assay could also be used to test peripheral blood and bone marrow samples.
Zehentner
Barbara K
BK
Corixa, 1124 Columbia St., Seattle, WA 98104, USA.
Dillon
Davin C
DC
Jiang
Yuqiu
Y
Xu
Jiangchun
J
Bennington
Angela
A
Molesh
David A
DA
Zhang
XinQun
X
Reed
Steven G
SG
Persing
David
D
Houghton
Raymond L
RL
D019943:Amino Acid Substitution; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000737:chemistry*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D060785:Mammaglobin A; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D021122:Protein Subunits; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014598:Uteroglobin / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D060785:Mammaglobin A; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D021122:Protein Subunits; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A; C556448:SCGB2A2 protein, human; D014598:Uteroglobin