Serum DNA Microsatellites as Surrogate Genetic Markers of Breast Cancer Progression
Abstract
A variety of genetic aberrations, including loss of heterozygosity (Lo%), have been identified in primary breast cancers and their metastasis and shown prognostic significance. However, assessing these genetic events in tumor tissue provides information that is static, limited to the time the biopsy was obtained, and may not reflect those genetic events that continue to occur during disease progression and may have additional diagnostic and prognostic utility. Furthermore, serial tumor biopsy is not clinically practical or logistically feasible during patient treatment and follow-up. Because blood is a major route of metastatic dissemination, detection of circulating tumor-associated genetic markers may provide a less invasive and more informative method to assess disease. During the past year, we have demonstrated the presence of DNA microsatellites with LOH in the serum and bone marrow aspirates of early stage breast cancer patients and found a significant concordance with those present in the primary tumor.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA412196
Entities
People
- Dave S. Hoon