Determination of a Unique Pattern of Gene Expression in Node Positive Breast Cancer Using Serial Analysis of Gene Expression (SAGE)
Abstract
Individual breast cancer cells in a growing primary tumor are genetically unstable and undergo somatic mutation at an accelerated rate. Primary breast tumors are therefore composed of genetically heterogeneous clones of cells. Individual clones of cells, through activation and expression of normally suppressed genes, likely acquire the capacity for lymphogenous and hematogenous spread at a very early stage of primary tumor development. These clones likely represent only a small fraction of the total tumor volume. We hypothesize that a pattern of genetic expression (a "signature") for lymphogenous spread exists in a small fraction of cells of a primary breast cancer. In addition, we hypothesize that this signature will be constant between primary tumors from different women. This genetic signature should be detectable by sensitive genetic differential display methods, and can be exploited to determine the lymph node status of a primary breast cancer. A corollary to this hypothesis is that a lymph node involved by metastatic breast cancer should represent an in vivo amplification of clones of cells of a primary breast cancer. The lymph node should have a pattern of genetic expression differing from the primary tumor. In addition, the lymph node genetic expression signature should contain genes associated with increased aggressiveness.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA417855
Entities
People
- Adam M. Brufsky
Organizations
- University of Pittsburgh