Differential TAG-72 epitope expression in breast cancer and lymph node metastases: a marker of a more aggressive phenotype.

Abstract

We analysed the differential expression pattern of the three distinct TAG-72 carbohydrate epitopes detected by monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) B72.3, CC83 and CC49 in a consecutive series of 114 patients with primary breast cancer and in 39 synchronous lymph node metastases. B72.3, CC83 and CC49 were expressed in respectively 81 (71%), 68 (60%) and 96 (84%) of the 114 cases. Interestingly, MAb B72.3 was significantly expressed in a subgroup of patients characterised by larger tumour size (p=0.013), lymph node metastasis (p=0.0002), high histopathological grade (p=0.006), high cell kinetics (p=0.04) and advanced clinical stage (p=0.0019). In 20 (51%) of the 39 pairs of matched primary breast cancers and synchronous lymph node metastases, TAG-72 was expressed in the tumour but not in the corresponding metastatic lymph node; tumours with TAG-72-negative lymph nodes appeared to be clinicopathologically more aggressive. CC49, the most immunoreactive and widely used MAb, was not detected in 34% of the metastases of expressing primary tumours. All three MAbs were found in a significantly lower per cent of synchronous metastases with respect to primary tumours (p<0.001).

• Authors: Annamaria Galietta, Claudia Pizzi, Guido Pettinato, Gennaro Limite, Alessandro Sgambato, Maria Lamberti, Raffaella Muraro, Cesare Formisano, Matilde Pensabene, Angelo Raffaele Bianco, Renato Mariani-Costantini, Alma Contegiacomo
• Journal: Oncology reports (Oncol Rep) 2002 Jan-Feb Vol. 9 Issue 1 Pg. 135-40 ISSN: 1021-335X [Print] Greece
• PMID: 11748471 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Neoplasm
• Antigens, Neoplasm
• B72.3 antibody
• Biomarkers, Tumor
• Epitopes
• Glycoproteins
• tumor-associated antigen 72
• Thymidine

Topics

• Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous (metabolism, secondary)
• Adult
• Aged
• Antibodies, Neoplasm
• Antigens, Neoplasm (metabolism)
• Biomarkers, Tumor (metabolism)
• Breast Neoplasms (metabolism, pathology)
• Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast (metabolism, secondary)
• Carcinoma, Lobular (metabolism, secondary)
• Carcinoma, Medullary (metabolism, secondary)
• Epitopes (immunology, metabolism)
• Female
• Glycoproteins (metabolism)
• Humans
• Immunoenzyme Techniques
• Lymph Nodes (metabolism)
• Lymphatic Metastasis (pathology)
• Middle Aged
• Neoplasm Invasiveness
• Neoplasm Staging
• Prognosis
• Thymidine (metabolism)