Tumor DNA in plasma at diagnosis of breast cancer patients is a valuable predictor of disease-free survival.

PURPOSE

We examine prospectively whether the presence of plasma DNA with tumor characteristics before mastectomy is a predictive factor related to recurrence and disease-free survival (DFS).

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

A series of 147 patients with breast carcinomas, selected sequentially, was analyzed. The characterization of plasma DNA, based on similar alterations in tumor and plasma DNA, was achieved with six polymorphic markers (D17S855, D17S654, D16S421, TH(2), D10S197, and D9S161) and mutations in the TP53 gene. Recurrence, DFS, overall survival, and 12 other clinicopathological parameters were obtained. Univariate and Cox's multivariate studies were performed.

RESULTS

A total of 142 patients were eligible for study. A total of 104 tumors (73.2%) showed at least one molecular alteration. In 61 patients (42.9%), a similar molecular alteration was detected in plasma DNA and tumor DNA. No alterations were found in the plasma DNA of the remaining 81 patients (57%). During the follow-up period (median, 22 months; range, 1-46 months), we observed 23 recurrences (16%), the distribution of which was significantly different (P = 0.005) with regard to plasma DNA [17 patients (74%) with circulating tumor DNA and 6 patients (26%) without tumor plasma DNA]. Univariate statistical analysis confirmed the prognostic significance of the already known parameters (tumor size, lymph node metastases, and stage) and demonstrated that tumor plasma DNA was a predictor of DFS. In multivariate analysis, an independent borderline significance was observed for tumor plasma DNA.

CONCLUSIONS

Tumor DNA in plasma at diagnosis in breast cancer patients can predict DFS, and its determination could be used as a prognostic factor in these patients.