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Updated: Aug 2, 2026
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Optimization of a Multiplex RNA-based Expression Assay Using Breast Cancer Archival Material
Published on: August 1, 2018
Plasma Nucleosome Levels in Node-Negative Breast Cancer Patients
1Department of Surgery, Tokoy Metropolitan Komagome Hospital, 3-18-22 Honkomagome, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8677, Japan.
Breast Cancer (Tokyo, Japan)
|November 25, 2000
Summary
Circulating nucleosomes in plasma (PNLs) are elevated in breast cancer patients. Higher PNL levels may indicate better relapse-free survival, suggesting PNLs as a potential prognostic marker.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Nucleosomes are fundamental units of DNA organization in chromatin.
- Increased circulating nucleosomes in plasma (PNLs) are linked to cell death in conditions like inflammation, cancer, and autoimmune diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate plasma nucleosome levels (PNLs) in breast cancer patients.
- To evaluate the correlation between PNLs and clinicopathological factors.
- To assess the prognostic value of PNLs for relapse-free survival in breast cancer.
Main Methods:
- PNLs were quantified in 96 breast cancer patients (stages 0-III) and 111 healthy controls using the Cell Death Detection ELISAplus kit.
- Patients were categorized into node-negative (n=57) and node-positive (n=39) groups.
- Clinicopathological data and relapse-free survival were analyzed in relation to PNL levels.
Main Results:
- Breast cancer patients exhibited significantly higher PNLs compared to healthy controls (p <0.01).
- No correlation was observed between high PNLs and clinicopathological factors (tumor size, menopausal status, receptor status, histology, spread) in node-negative breast cancer.
- Patients with high PNLs showed a trend towards better relapse-free survival in both node-negative and node-positive breast cancer.
Conclusions:
- Elevated PNLs are present in breast cancer patients.
- PNLs show promise as a novel prognostic biomarker for both node-negative and node-positive breast cancer.
- Further research is warranted to validate PNLs as a prognostic tool.
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