Abstract:

Objective

To explore the level of small breast epithelial mucin(SBEM) in peripheral blood in different populations, and its association with pathological factors of breast cancer patients as well as the clinical significance.

Methods

Pathologically confirmed 68 breast cancer and 20 mammary fibroadenoma patients and 20 healthy volunteers were enrolled in the study. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the serum SBEM level in the three different populations. The association of the serum SBEM level with pathological factors of breast cancer patients was analyzed. Empty stomach vein blood of 3 ml was obtained. Before blood sample collection, breast cancer and fibroadenoma patients did not have any administration of radiotherapy, chemotherapy, bioremediation or any invasive examinations. Statistical analysis was done using t test for comparison of two groups,one-way variance analysis for more groups and LSD for multiple comparison, and Kruskal-Wallis test for comparison of groups of non-normal distribution and Mann-Whitney test for multiple comparison.

Results

There was statistical difference in the serum SBEM level between the three groups(P＜0.050). The serum SBEM level in the breast cancer group was higher than in both the fibroadenoma group and the volunteer group(P ＜0.001), but there was no statistical difference between the fibroadenoma group and the volunteer group(P＞0.050). In breast cancer patients, the serum SBEM level was correlated with axillary lymph nodes status and TNM stage ((P ＜0.001), but not correlated with the age, menstruation condition,pathological type, histological grade, tumor maximum diameter, estrogen receptor,progesterone receptor, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2, p53 protein, Ki-67, and gene subtypes (all P＞0.050). The serum SBEM level increased with increase of stage of lymph nodes, and between different lymph node stages there was statistical difference in the serum SBEM (P ＜0.001) in breast cancer patients.

Conclusion

SBEM specifically expresses in the peripheral blood of breast cancer patients. The Serum SBEM level in breast cancer patients can reflect clinical stage and lymph node status to a certain extent. SBEM is a promising marker detecting micro-metastasis and judging progression and prognosis of breast cancer.

Key words: breast neoplasms, small breast epithelial mucin, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, peripheral blood, disease progression