Detection of bone marrow-disseminated breast cancer cells using an RT-PCR assay of MUC5B mRNA.

The evaluation of disseminated epithelial tumor cells in breast cancer patients has generated considerable interest due to its potential association with disease recurrence. Our work was performed to analyze the usefulness of 5 mucin genes expression (MUC2, MUC3, MUC5B, MUC6 and MUC7), using RT-PCR assays, to detect disseminated cancer cells in patients with operable breast cancer. The highest frequencies of positive RT-PCR tests in breast tumor extracts were observed for MUC5B (7/15) and MUC7 (5/12).

[Nuclear DNA content in squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue: prognostic significance].

The prognosis is poor for advanced (stage III-IV) carcinomas of the tongue. The appearance of metastatic lymph nodes drastically reduces the 2-years survival rate because, in approximately 30% of the cases, metastatic lymph nodes are already present at the time of diagnosis, even in T1, but go undetected. The incidence of lymph nodes metastases has also been related to histological grading.