Prediction of Breast Cancer Risk by Aberrant Methylation in Mammary Duct Lavage
Abstract
Ductal lavage is a minimally invasive method of collecting samples of milk duct cells. These cells hold promise in identifying women at increased risk of developing breast cancer and can be examined by cytopathology to determine whether they are normal, atypical or malignant. However, more sensitive molecular methods of detection have been developed. For example, aberrant methylation of genes by methylation-specific PCR (MSP) can identify tumor cells with a sensitivity of 1 in 1000 normal cells. Our objective is to analyze ductal lavage cells for aberrant methylation of genes that are frequently methylated in breast cancers but not in normal breast tissues. We have collected ductal lavage samples from 50 women. Twenty four women (48%) had breast cancer while 26 women (52%) were identified at varying degrees of increased risk for developing breast cancer based on computerized modeling. The samples were examined by cytopathology. We performed MSP analysis for 15 genes in breast cancer cell lines / primary tumors. Of these, we have identified five genes namely APC, Cyclin D2, RARbeta, RASSFlA and TMSl, that are frequently methylated in tumors. Methylation analysis of these genes will be performed in breast ductal cells and will be correlated with cytological findings.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA408741
Entities
People
- Arvind K. Virmani
Organizations
- University of Texas at Dallas