Autoantibodies in early breast cancer

Abstract

549 Background: Immune responses to a number of tumour-associated antigens have been reported, although their suitability, individually, as diagnostic indicators has not been demonstrated. This study has taken a panel approach to demonstrate the diagnostic potential afforded by the detection of multiple auto-antibodies to known tumour-associated proteins. Methods: Auto-antibodies to MUC1, p53, c-myc and c-erbB2 were measured in serum, by ELISA, in five groups - normal controls (n = 100), primary breast cancer patients (PBC) (n = 200), patients with benign breast disease (n = 50), women deemed to be ‘at risk’ of breast cancer from whom serum samples had been taken at least 6 months prior to clinical diagnosis (n = 9) and patients with auto-immune disorders (n = 25). The value of adding other antigens eg BRCA1 and BRCA2 is currently being assessed. Results: Elevated levels of auto-antibodies were seen in 82% of PBC patients compared to normals. No significant differences were seen in overall detection when these patients were sub-divided either by detection methodology (screen-detected vs symptomatic presentation), lymph node status at diagnosis or menopausal status. Of those individuals with pre-diagnosis samples, 60% had elevated auto-antibodies: in this group, the lead-time for cancer detection with auto-antibodies, over clinical/ mammographic detection, ranged from 6 to 36 months. Conclusion: This study raises the possibility of using a combination of assays to detect auto-antibodies to cancer-associated antigens for screening and early diagnosis of breast cancer. While very interesting, these findings need to be confirmed in another group of patients. Author Disclosure Employment or Leadership Consultant or Advisory Role Stock Ownership Honoraria Research Funding Expert Testimony Other Remuneration OncImmune OncImmune OncImmune