Anti-CENP-B antibodies are associated with prolonged survival in breast cancer.

AIMS

Presence of a relationship between autoimmunity and malignant diseases has been investigated for a long time. Anti-SS-B and anti-centromere protein (CENP)-B antibodies are used as serologic markers for autoimmune diseases. In this study, these autoantibodies were studied in breast cancer patients, and their effect on survival was evaluated.

PATIENTS & METHODS: Breast cancer patients treated between January and June 2003 were prospectively included in this study. Antibodies were studied by ELISA, and serum values of greater than 10 U/ml were accepted as positive.

RESULTS

In total, 55 patients with breast cancer were prospectively included in the study. Median follow-up time was 62 months. In univariate analysis, estrogen receptor status, anti-CENP-B antibody status and tumor size significantly affected disease-free survival, whereas overall survival was significantly dependent on tumor size and anti-CENP-B antibody status. In multivariate analysis, anti-CENP-B status was the independent prognostic factor for disease-free survival, whereas tumor size and anti-CENP-B status were independent prognostic factors for overall survival.

CONCLUSION

Anti-CENP-B autoantibodies in breast cancer patients prolong disease-free and overall survival.