title: Beta1,6-branched oligosaccharides are increased in lymph node metastases and predict poor outcome in breast carcinoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was designed to provide a comprehensive assessment on the role of beta1,6-branched oligosaccharides in the metastasis and outcome of breast carcinoma. Generation of these structures on N-glycans is initiated by beta1,6-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase V and used by both myeloid cells and cancer cells in systemic migration.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tissue microarrays of >700 tumors (>400 patients; 30-year follow-up data) were stained through lectin histochemistry with leukocytic phytohemagglutinin (LPHA), a selective marker for beta1,6-branched oligosaccharides. Node-negative and node-positive primary tumors and patient-matched lymph node metastases were scored by blinded observers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Metastases stained at significantly greater intensities than did the patient-matched primary tumors (P < 0.0001), demonstrating for the first time that the abundance of beta1,6-branched oligosaccharides was directly associated with breast carcinoma nodal metastasis. Multivariate analyses revealed that beta1,6-branched oligosaccharides in primary tumors were a predictor of poor outcome, most notably in node-negative tumors, where an LPHA staining score of 3+ gave a risk factor of 3.3, independent of tumor size, nuclear grade, or patient age (P = 0.007).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The data firmly establish a role for beta1,6-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase V activity and beta1,6-branched oligosaccharides in breast carcinoma metastasis, and reemphasize the involvement, although poorly understood, of aberrant glycosylation in tumor progression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts School of Medicine, Worchester, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: Tamara
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Handerson
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Camp
authors.forename: Malini
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Harigopal
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rimm
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pawelek
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009844:Oligosaccharides / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D009844:Oligosaccharides