Increased soluble CD44 concentrations are associated with larger tumor size and lymph node metastasis in breast cancer patients.

Purpose: CD44 is a cell surface glycoprotein involved in cell-cell and cell-substrate interactions, which may be shed or released into circulation by proteolytic enzymatic mechanisms. Alternative splicing of CD44 and aberrant levels of soluble CD44 variants in the serum of cancer patients have been correlated to tumor progression and metastasis in different tumors including breast cancer. In this study we evaluated the clinical value of CD44 serum levels (sCD44) in patients with primary breast cancer.

Splicing factor Tra2-beta1 is specifically induced in breast cancer and regulates alternative splicing of the CD44 gene.

The human CD44 gene undergoes extensive alternative splicing of multiple variable exons positioned in a cassette in the middle of the gene. Expression of alternative exons is often restricted to certain tissues and could be associated with tumor progression and metastasis of several human malignancies, including breast cancer. Exon v4 contains multiple copies of a C/A-rich exon enhancer sequence required for optimal inclusion of the exon and binding to the nucleic acid-binding proteins YB-1 and human Tra2-beta1.

Ultrasound morphology of invasive lobular breast cancer is different compared with other types of breast cancer.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the ultrasound (US) morphology of invasive lobular breast carcinomas (ILC) in comparison to that of invasive tumors of other histologic differentiation (TOD). Images of 406 breast lesions were included in this retrospective study. A total of 10 US criteria (shape, orientation, echogenicity, echo pattern, calcifications, margin, margin contour, lesion boundary, surrounding tissue and posterior acoustic features) were defined and determined.

Ultrasound criteria for ductal invasive breast cancer are modified by age, tumor size, and axillary lymph node status.

Purpose: To evaluate the influence of distinct clinicopathological parameters on ultrasound criteria for ductal invasive breast cancer.

Patients And Methods: The hardcopy prints of 337 ductal invasive breast cancers were analyzed. Ten ultrasound criteria (shape, orientation, echogenicity, echo pattern, calcifications, margin, margin contour, lesion boundary, surrounding tissue, and posterior acoustic features) were defined and correlated to age, tumor size, axillary lymph node status, and histological grading in a multivariate analysis.

Expression of splicing factors in human ovarian cancer.

Alternative splicing represents an important nuclear mechanism in the post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression, which is frequently altered during tumorigenesis. Previously, we have described marked changes in alternative splicing of the CD44 gene in ovarian and breast cancer. In the latter one we described also a specific induction of splicing factors during tumor development.

Experience with the Advanced Breast Biopsy Instrumentation (ABBI) system.

Background: The Advanced Breast Biopsy Instrumentation (ABBI) System is designed to excise nonpalpable breast lesions under stereotactic control. We report our experience with special regard to the histological evaluation of margins.

Patients And Methods: Breast biopsies using the ABBI system were performed on 101 patients with microcalcifications.