# BREAST CANCER PROGNOSIS WITH CELLULAR MARKERS

> **NIH NIH R01** · JOHN MUIR MEMORIAL HOSP (WALNUT CRK, CA) · 1987 · $202,265

## Abstract

We have obtained cell-type specific antibodies both monoclonal and
polyclonal against normal surface antigens of human mammary eptihelial
cells (anti-HME), that bind specifically to normal human mammary epithelial
cell surface antigens (HME-Ags) and, with different intensities and at
varying percentages, to epithelial cells of fibroadenomas and breast
carcinomas, and to human neoplastic mammary cell lines.  These antigens
could participate in cellular functions such as adhesiveness, arrangement
and communication and could control cell multiplication and metastatic
capabilities.  Loss or substitution of these normal HME cell antigens
(differentiation antigens) could be concomitant with, or perhaps the cause
of, breast neoplasia.  We have also quantitated by radioimmunoassy and flow
cytofluorimetry levels of HME-Ags on a whole population na don a cell per
cell basis.  Mammary tumors had lower levels than normal breast tissue and
were more heterogeneous.  Con-A receptors were also found at a higher level
in human breast cancer.  These findings are being added to determinations
of other non-spcific markers of HME-cells and are being assembled into a
system for classification of mammary tumors.  Experimental support for
these investigations is given by a parallel system in the mouse.  Studies
are proposed in order to add new cell membrane markers to the ones in use
now, to refine further our quantitative techniques, and to test a much
larger number of breast tumors.  Then breast tumors will be placed in
clusters sharing comparable values of antigenic expression and phenotypic
heterogeneity and compared to the clinical history of the patients.  A
classification of breast tumors using as its basis the molecular
alterations that could condition breast neoplastic disease will be then
attempted.  This classification of breast tumors at the molecular level,
will be matched to the tumor's clinical staging, histopathology, and
evolution (response to chemo and radiation therapy, appearance of
metastases, etc.), in order to derive elements to establish future
guidelines in its therapy and prognosis.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3179337
- **Project number:** 2R01CA039936-03A1
- **Recipient organization:** JOHN MUIR MEMORIAL HOSP (WALNUT CRK, CA)
- **Principal Investigator:** ROBERTO L CERIANI
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1987
- **Award amount:** $202,265
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 1984-09-15 → 1992-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3179337

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3179337, BREAST CANCER PROGNOSIS WITH CELLULAR MARKERS (2R01CA039936-03A1). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3179337. Licensed CC0.

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