Identification of Mammaglobin as a Novel Serum Marker for Breast Cancer

Abstract

Purpose: Early detection of breast cancer has implications for the management and treatment of patients with this disease. Currently, there exist no highly sensitive and specific serologic biomarkers for detection of breast cancer. Mammaglobin is predicted to be a secreted protein, and expression of this gene seems to be highly specific in breast cancer. The present studies were undertaken to develop the mammaglobin protein as a serum biomarker for detection of breast cancer. Experimental Design: We characterized the mammaglobin protein as a secreted, 14-to 21-kDa species, which is likely post-translationally processed based on its predicted 7-kDa size. Immunostaining for mammaglobin was conducted. An ELISA was developed for the detection of the mammaglobin protein in serum, and levels were compared between women with and without breast cancer. A receiver operating characteristic curve was used to show sensitivity and specificity for cut points on the continuous mammaglobin scale. Results:The protein was detectable by immunostaining in 72% of breast tumors and not in other tumor types.The ELISA was highly sensitive and specific for detection of mammaglobin protein in tissue culture fluids of breast cancer cells and sera of breast cancer patients. The ELISA differentiated healthy women from those with breast cancer with accurate, repeatable results across time and under varying storage conditions. Conclusion: Our results indicate that mammaglobin, as measured by the ELISA, holds significant promise for breast cancer screening with the realistic potential to impact management of this disease.

Mammaglobin peptide as a novel biomarker for breast cancer detection

“…Sensitivity and specificity values obtained in the present study were higher than previously reported values (68.8 and 88.8%, respectively) 9 probably due to different experimental conditions; a 16-amino acid peptide from the C-terminal end of the protein was used to generate rabbit antibodies, close to where peptide C in the study is located. A monoclonal antibody has recently been obtained by immunising mice with recombinant mammaglobin protein.…”

“…Sensitivity reached 68% and specificity 88.8% in that study. 9 The difference between the last two studies mentioned above lies in the antibodies used; the first used a monoclonal antibody generated by taking a native mammaglobin complex, 8 while the second used polyclonal antibodies generated against the EVFMQLIYDSSLCDLF C-terminal peptide.…”

Significance of immunohistochemistry in breast cancer

“…In this context, ARs and/or HER-2/neu are given additional value in a great number of ER-negative highgrade ductal carcinomas [3] . Lately, mammaglobin has been described as a breast cancer-specific gene, and its utility as a novel breast cancer marker has been confirmed [3,23,24] . Mammoglobin A and B identified in breast cells are overexpressed in breast cancer.…”

The diagnostic value of RNA oncomarkers in evaluation of malignant breast tumors

“…Анализируя работы других исследовательских групп можно заключить, что метод РТ-ПЦР наиболее перспективен для обнаружения этого фактора в периферической крови. Такие методы, как ИФА [8] и Nested-PCR [9] оказались пригодными для определения диагностических показателей только в биоптатах, а не в периферической крови. Результатом наших исследований стало создание диагностических наборов, которые могут быть использованы для обследования пациенток с подозрением на злокачественные образования молочной железы.…”