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Mammaglobin expression in gynecologic malignancies and malignant effusions detected by nested reverse
Kurt Grünewald1, Margot Haun, Michael Fiegl
1Department of Internal Medicine, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria. kurt.grunwald@uibk.ac.at
Laboratory Investigation; a Journal of Technical Methods and Pathology
|September 10, 2002
Summary
Human mammaglobin (hMAM) is expressed in various gynecologic tissues and prostate cancer, not just breast tissue. This marker aids in detecting micrometastatic spread in effusions, even when cytology is negative.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Diagnostics
- Gynecologic Cancers
Background:
- Detecting micrometastatic disease is crucial for cancer diagnosis and monitoring.
- Human mammaglobin (hMAM) shows promise as a sensitive marker for circulating tumor cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate hMAM expression in normal and malignant tissues of the female genital tract and prostate.
- To evaluate hMAM as a marker for micrometastatic disease in effusions from gynecologic malignancies.
Main Methods:
- Nested reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to analyze hMAM expression.
- Samples included normal and malignant epithelial tissues from the ovary, uterus, cervix, and prostate, as well as mesenchymal tissues and effusions.
Main Results:
- hMAM expression was detected in most benign and malignant epithelial tissues of the ovary, uterus, and cervix, and in prostate cancer.
- hMAM was also found in benign prostatic hyperplasia and some mesenchymal tissues.
- hMAM positivity was higher than cytological detection of tumor cells in pleural and peritoneal effusions from patients with gynecologic cancers.
Conclusions:
- hMAM expression is not limited to breast tissue and is prevalent in various gynecologic and prostate tissues.
- hMAM is a sensitive molecular marker for detecting micrometastatic spread in effusions associated with breast and gynecologic cancers.