title: Use of a panel of novel genes for differentiating breast cancer from non-breast tissues.
abstract: Existing serum markers for breast cancer such as CA 15-3, BR 27.29 and CEA lack sensitivity and specificity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the value of new putative breast-specific markers for differentiating breast cancer from non-breast tissues. Expression of mammaglobin A (MGA), B726P, small breast epithelial mucin (SBEM) and MUC1 was measured by RT-PCR. MGA mRNA was detected in 86/162 (60%) breast cancers but in only 1/32 (3%) non-breast tissues; B726P was detected in 44/108 (41%) breast cancers but in none of 20 non-breast tissues, while SBEM was present in 52/103 (51%) breast cancers but in only 1/26 non-breast cancer tissues. In contrast to these novel markers, the established breast cancer marker MUC1 was detected in 72/99 (73%) breast cancers and in 22/32 (59%) of non-breast tissues. Combining MGA with B726P separated breast cancer from non-breast tissue with a sensitivity of 71% and a specificity of 95% while combining MGA with SBEM differentiated breast cancer from non-breast tissues with a sensitivity of 76% and a specificity of 89%. Genes such as MGA, B726P and SBEM that are expressed relatively exclusively in breast tissue are potential new markers for breast cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: Neil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: O'Brien
authors.forename: Norma
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: O'Donovan
authors.forename: Deirdre
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Foley
authors.forename: Arnold D K
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.forename: Enda
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: McDermott
authors.forename: Niall
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: O'Higgins
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Duffy
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000235:genetics*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000556:secondary; D018275:Carcinoma, Lobular / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000556:secondary; D017931:DNA Primers; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D060785:Mammaglobin A; D008875:Middle Aged; D018396:Mucin-1 / Q000235:genetics*; D009077:Mucins / Q000235:genetics*; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000378:metabolism; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D014598:Uteroglobin / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D017931:DNA Primers; C060192:MUC1 protein, human; C511061:MUCL1 protein, human; D060785:Mammaglobin A; D018396:Mucin-1; D009077:Mucins; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone; C556448:SCGB2A2 protein, human; D014598:Uteroglobin