Background: CD24 expression has been described as a significant prognostic factor in multiple solid tumours. Most of these studies have, however, been undertaken using the Ab-2 antibody (clone SN3b), which detects a CD24-associated carbohydrate, and not the CD24 protein itself. Although its biological identity remains unclear, its prognostic significance means that detection of this carbohydrate may, nonetheless, be clinically relevant. Methods: 133 breast carcinomas were selected (pT1-2 pN0-2 M0, no secondary carcinoma, no contralateral carcinoma) from a previous SN3b expression study on a larger cohort of breast carcinomas. After updating data on follow-up observations, we carried out univariate and multivariate analysis of the prognostic significance of SN3b for total and breast cancer-specific survival. Results: A statistically significant correlation between cytoplasmic SN3b immunoreactivity and positive node status was found. Cytoplasmic SN3b also has node status-independent prognostic significance. Total survival exhibits a statistically significant dependency on cytoplasmic SN3b even for pN0 cases. Conclusion: The independent prognostic value of CD24 as detected by Ab-2/clone SN3b could replace the diagnostic axillary dissection in breast carcinoma patients if this was confirmed in further studies. Also, clarifying the exact epitope of this interesting antibody is more than warranted.

Keywords:
Breast cancer, Prognostic factor, Ab-2 (clone SN3b), CD24, Survival
1.
Kristiansen G, Winzer KJ, Mayordomo E, et al.: CD24 expression is a new prognostic marker in breast cancer. Clin Cancer Res 2003;9:4906-4913.
2.
Kristiansen G, Machado E, Bretz N, et al.: Molecular and clinical dissection of CD24 antibody specificity by a comprehensive comparative analysis. Lab Invest 2010;90:1102-1116.
3.
Winzer KJ, Bellach J: Wertigkeit der routinemäßig erfassten Nachsorgedaten bei Brustkrebspatientinnen. Zentralbl Chir 2010;135:257-261.
4.
Modelmog D: Todesursachen sowie Häufigkeit pathologisch-anatomischer Befundkomplexe und Diagnosen einer mittelgroßen Stadt bei fast 100 prozentiger Obduktionsquote - Eine Obduktionsanalyse unter Einbeziehung histologischer Untersuchungen zum gegenwärtigen Stellenwert der Pathologie (Görlitzer Studie 1986/ 1987). Egelsbach, Köln, New York: Hänsel-Hohenhausen; 1993.
5.
Modelmog D, Rahlenbeck S, Trichopoulos D: Accuracy of death certificates: A population-based, complete-coverage, one-year autopsy study in East Germany. Cancer Causes Control 1992;3:541-546.
6.
Jahn I, Jöckel K-H, Bocter N, Müller W: Studie zur Verbesserung der Validität und Reliabilität der amtlichen Todesursachenstatistik. Band 52, Schriftenreihe des Bundesministeriums für Gesundheit. Baden-Baden: Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft; 1995.
7.
Giuliano AE, Hunt KK, Ballman KV, et al.: Axillary dissection vs no axillary dissection in women with invasive breast cancer and sentinel node metastasis: A randomized clinical trial. JAMA 2011;305:569-575.
8.
Giuliano AE, McCall L, Beitsch P, et al.: Locoregional recurrence after sentinel lymph node dissection with or without axillary dissection in patients with sentinel lymph node metastases: The American College of Surgeons Oncology Group Z0011 randomized trial. Ann Surg 2010;252:426-432.
9.
Haffty BG, Hunt KK, Harris JR, Buchholz TA: Positive sentinel nodes without axillary dissection: Implications for the radiation oncologist. J Clin Oncol 2011;29:4479-4481.
10.
Engel J, Emeny RT, Hölzel D: Positive lymph nodes do not metastasize. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2012;31:235-246.
11.
Kristiansen G, Sammar M, Altevogt P: Tumour biological aspects of CD24, a mucin-like adhesion molecule. J Mol Histol 2004;35:255-262.
© 2015 S. Karger GmbH, Freiburg
2015
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.