ABSTRACT
Objective To study the expression of small breast epithelial mucin(SBEM) in the peripheral blood of the patients with breast cancer,and explore the correlation between micrometastasis and SBEM.Methods Peripheral blood samples were obtained from 92 patients with breast carcinoma,20 patients with benign breast diseases,10 patients with malignant tumor not originating from breast,and 10 normal healthy volunteers.SBEM-mRNA expression was detected by nested reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(Nested-RT PCR).Results Among 92 breast carcinoma patients,43(46.7%) were Nested-RT-PCR positive for SBEM-mRNA,but it was negative in all the other groups.The expression of SBEM-mRNA in peripheral blood did not correlate with ER or PR status,menstruation state or primary tumour size.but correlated with patient′s age,the state of Her-2,CEA,CA15-3 and axillary lymph node metastasis of breast cancer.Conclusions The expression of SBEM-mRNA in peripheral blood of breast cancer can be of potential use to monitor the micrometastasis of breast cancer.