The molecular detection of micrometastatic breast cancer.
BACKGROUND
The rapid evolution of molecular technology and novel markers provides the opportunity to establish a more effective means to detect micrometastatic breast cancer. Given the controversies concerning application and clinical relevance, this review critically evaluates the current status of these molecular staging technologies.


METHODS
Breast cancer literature addressing (1). molecular detection methodologies (immunohistochemistry, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, and microarray analysis); (2). specific tissue applications such as lymph nodes, bone marrow aspirate, and peripheral blood; (3). expert commentary concerning the clinical applications and pitfalls of these technologies; and (4). recent data from our molecular diagnostics laboratory.


CONCLUSIONS
Molecular detection technologies such as reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and microarray analyses are being developed that will likely have future application as cancer diagnostics. Further work is needed to establish assays that are validated by prospective clinical studies. Early identification of clinically relevant disease could lead to new treatment or staging approaches for breast cancer.
Baker
Megan
M
Medical University of South Carolina, Department of Surgery, 171 Ashley Ave, Room 420Q CSB, Charleston, SC 29425, USA.
Gillanders
William E
WE
Mikhitarian
Kaidi
K
Mitas
Michael
M
Cole
David J
DJ
D019046:Bone Marrow Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000556:secondary; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D025202:Molecular Diagnostic Techniques; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D009360:Neoplastic Cells, Circulating; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction