The cell cycle kinetics of human breast cancer

Abstract

Cell kinetic parameters were determined in 32 patients with breast cancer following intravenous [3H]thymidine injection. The mean labelling index (LI) was 8.6, range 1.2 to 24.1. The LI increased significantly with increased stage of disease. The highest values were noted in patients with chest wall metastases with a mean LI of 15.9. In one patient with multiple discrete tumor foci, the larger foci had significantly decreased LI consistent with classic cytokinetic theory. The intralesional variation in LI was measured in 31 lesions. The average variation of LI/lesion was 1.2. Therefore, three samples should provide a representative LI. The interlesional LI was compared by taking multiple samples of two or three lesions per patient in seven patients. For each patient, there was little variation in mean LI from lesion to lesion. The data suggest that higher LI are associated with a poorer prognosis. Among patients with advanced T4 or metastatic disease, the median survivals for patients with LI less than 8 and greater than or equal to 8 were 79 weeks and 21 weeks, respectively. For patients with metastatic disease, the survivals were 56 and 9 weeks, respectively. The tumor growth fraction analyzed in one patient was 40%. In summary, the growth rate of this cancer in an individual patient is relatively homogeneous and LI may provide important prognostic information. Further studies are required to establish the value of LI in the staging and treatment of breast cancer.

Carcinoma of the cervix uteri: an assessment of tumour proliferation using the monoclonal antibody Ki67

“…More recent studies using tritiated thymidine labelling index as a kinetic parameter in patients with breast carcinoma support these findings by showing that a low labelling index is associated with a better prognosis (Meyer et al, 1978;Straus & Moran, 1980 (Gerdes and Stein, personal communication). Recently a technique for staining nucleolar organizer regions in tissue sections has been described as a possible method for assessing prognosis in tumours such as lymphoma (Crocker & Nar, 1987) and melanocytic lesions (Crocker & Skilbeck, 1987 (Prioleau et al, 1980).…”

Cell Cycle Kinetics of Human Lung Cancer

“…A comparison of LI and survival in other cancers, such as breast cancer, also indicates that low LI is associated with a better prognosis. 17,30 Indeed, it is possible that as LIs are done more easily, they may become an important feature of staging. LI or equivalent data obtained by flow cytometry may be useful in deciding the optimal course of therapy.…”