Tumor markers and their significance in the management of breast cancer

Abstract

The use of molecular components from both normal and neoplastic breast tissue as markers for breast tumors has long been recognized as of major potential for breast cancer diagnosis, and has been an area of active research. Recent developments in immunological approaches have further stimulated this field by permitting new specificity in the identification and characterization of such markers. Breast tumor markers are now being explored in immunohistochemistry, radioimaging, immunodiagnosis, and even in attempts at their utilization in therapy. To bring together an update on research in this area, a workshop was held in March at the National Institutes of Health, sponsored by the advisory Breast Cancer Working Group and the Breast Cancer Program of the National Cancer Institutes (Dr. Elizabeth Anderson, Program Director) through the auspices of the Organ Systems Coordinating Center (at Roswell Park Memorial Institute, Dr. Clement Ip, Scientific Administrator). The 1 1/2-day workshop included three sessions: Circulating Tumor Markers, Breast Cancer Antigens, and Estrogen Metabolites and Estrogen-Induced Proteins.