An approach for high sensitivity detection of breast cancer by analysis of changes in structure of the cytoplasmic matrix of lymphocytes specifically induced by a specific breast tumour antigen (MUC-l/SEC).

An alternative procedure for detection breast cancer was examined based on the observation that lymphocytes re-exposed in vitro to antigenic stimulation will change their intracellular structuredness as measured by polarization of fluorescent light emitted by fluorescein labeled cells (SCM test). The specific antigen MUC-l/SEC was used to elicit such response in lymphocytes of patients with and without breast cancer. Eighty-five samples with breast cancer were tested, of which 72 were correctly diagnosed. Of the 41 controls, 35 were correctly identified as healthy subjects. The sensitivity of the test was 85% and the specificity was 81%. These results suggest a possible valuable method for screening and early detection of breast cancer. The clinical importance of this procedure lies in the ability to screen high-risk populations with higher specificity and sensitivity than any combinations of currently available procedures for breast cancer detection.