Anti-CENP-B antibodies are associated with prolonged survival in breast cancer

Presence of a relationship between autoimmunity and malignant diseases has been investigated for a long time. Anti-SS-B and anti-centromere protein (CENP)-B antibodies are used as serologic markers for autoimmune diseases. In this study, these autoantibodies were studied in breast cancer patients, and their effect on survival was evaluated.

Breast cancer patients treated between January and June 2003 were prospectively included in this study. Antibodies were studied by ELISA, and serum values of greater than 10 U/ml were accepted as positive.

In total, 55 patients with breast cancer were prospectively included in the study. Median follow-up time was 62 months. In univariate analysis, estrogen receptor status, anti-CENP-B antibody status and tumor size significantly affected disease-free survival, whereas overall survival was significantly dependent on tumor size and anti-CENP-B antibody status. In multivariate analysis, anti-CENP-B status was the independent prognostic factor for disease-free survival, whereas tumor size and anti-CENP-B status were independent prognostic factors for overall survival.

Anti-CENP-B autoantibodies in breast cancer patients prolong disease-free and overall survival.