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Optimization of a Multiplex RNA-based Expression Assay Using Breast Cancer Archival Material
Published on: August 1, 2018
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Plasma Nucleosomes in Primary Breast Cancer
Michal Mego1,2, Katarina Kalavska2, Marian Karaba3
12nd Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University and National Cancer Institute, 83310 Bratislava, Slovakia.
Cancers
|September 15, 2020
Summary
Circulating nucleosomes, markers of cell death, are linked to systemic inflammation in breast cancer patients. Lower levels of these DNA-protein complexes indicate better disease-free survival, suggesting prognostic value.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Oncology
- Immunology
Background:
- Cell death releases nucleosomes into circulation.
- Circulating nucleosomes may indicate tumor dynamics and patient prognosis.
- Noninvasive biomarkers are crucial for cancer monitoring.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate circulating nucleosomes in primary breast cancer.
- To correlate nucleosomes with patient/tumor characteristics and prognosis.
- To assess nucleosomes as potential noninvasive biomarkers.
Main Methods:
- Analyzed plasma nucleosomes in 92 breast cancer patients using Cell Death Detection ELISA.
- Assessed associations with patient/tumor characteristics and inflammatory markers.
- Evaluated nucleosomes as predictors of disease-free survival via multivariate analysis.
Main Results:
- Circulating nucleosomes positively associated with Systemic Inflammatory Index (SII) (p=0.02).
- Nucleosomes correlated with inflammatory factors (PAI-1, IL-15, IL-16, IL-18, HGF).
- Lower nucleosome levels predicted significantly better disease-free survival (HR=0.46, p=0.05).
Conclusions:
- Plasma nucleosomes in breast cancer are associated with systemic inflammation.
- Nucleosome levels may serve as an independent prognostic predictor for disease-free survival.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms.
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