In vivo measurement of breast cancer growth rate
W. H. Goodson 3rd, B. M. Ljung, F. Waldman, B. Mayall, K. Chew, D. H. Moore 2nd, H. Smith, E. S. Goldman and C. Benz
Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco.
S-phase cells of 66 primary breast cancers were labeled in vivo by
preoperative infusion of the thymidine analogue bromodeoxyuridine. A
monoclonal antibody specific for DNA-incorporated bromodeoxyuridine was
used to identify positive cells and compute a labeling index on histologic
sections. The labeling index (the percentage of cells in S-phase) ranged
from 0.1% to 23.9%; it correlated positively with poorly differentiated
cancer, higher mitotic counts on routine histologic examination, and tumor
size; and it correlated inversely with estrogen and progesterone receptors.
The labeling index did not correlate with nodal involvement or ploidy. Of
the 15 patients with a labeling index greater than 12%, three died and one
had systemic disease after a median follow-up of 19 months. No other
patients had recurrences. There were no clinical complications of
bromodeoxyuridine infusion.