Detection of breast cancer micrometastases in peripheral blood by using hMAM mRNA and CEA mRNA reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction

Objective Detection of breast cancer micrometastasis in peripheral blood by using human mammaglobin(hMAM) mRNA and CEA mRNA RT PCR. Methods Expressions of hMAM mRNA and CEA mRNA in peripheral blood were detected in 52 cases of breast cancer, and 28 patients with breast benign lesions and 10 heathly volunteers as controls by RT PCR. Results The positive hMAM mRNA and CEA mRNA expession were 30.8% and 34.6%, No positive hMAM mRNA and CEA mRNA were found in peripheral blood of 28 patients with breast benign lesions and 10 heathly volunteers. The hMAM mRNA and CEA mRNA expessions were correlated with axillary lymph nodes status and TNM stage. There was no significant difference between micrometastasis and any of other clinical parameters. Conclusion The hMAM mRNA and CEA mRNA may be potential tumor markers for detecting micrometastasis and recurrence in peripheral blood.