Bone marrow micrometastases in 109 breast cancer patients: Correlations with clinical and pathological features and prognosis

摘要: Background: The presence in bone marrow of cells which react with monoclonal antibodies against tumor-associated antigens has been proposed over the last few years as a new prognostic factor breast cancer patients. Patients and methods: Bone aspirates were obtained from 109 stage I II patients during or 2–4 weeks after primary surgery. samples processed for leukocyte separation on Ficoll-Hypaque gradient then used to prepare cytospin slides immunocytochemical analysis. stained pool (MoAbs) recognize tumor associated antigens, using alkaline phosphatase anti-alkaline method. median follow-up was 36 months (range 15–62); 22 relapsed 7 died. Results: Thirty-four (31.1%) had MoAb positive cells. 28/74 (37.9%) who aspirate taken surgery 6/35 (17.1%) it (p = 0.055). No association found between positivity tumour size, nodal status, menopausal estrogen receptor proliferative index. prognosis: log-rank test 0.291 > 0.5) OS 0.023 DFS; hazard ratio (positive vs negative) 1.51 (95% CI: 0.33–6.86) 0.93 DFS 0.35–2.45). Conclusions: In our series, did not correlate parameters prognosis. Of interest is relative excess when