Serum levels of circulating intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in patients with breast cancer

Background The outcome of breast cancer is usually determined by multiple factors. Circulating intercellular adhesion molecule-1 has been found to be increased in the circulation of patients with malignancy. This study was designed with the aim of evaluating the prognostic significance of circulating intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in breast cancer Methods and Material: From December 1994 to May 1995, 50 patients with invasive breast carcinoma were included. Venous blood samples were collected before surgery and the serum levels of circulating intercellular adhesion molecule-1 were measured with an enzyme immunoassay method. The data of maximum tumor size, age, estrogen receptor status, lymph node status and TNM staging were collected and evaluated simultaneously with the serum levels of circulating intercellular adhesion molecule-1. Fifteen healthy subjects were used as control group. Results: The mean value of circulating infer cellular adhesion molecule-1 in patient group was 463 +/- 92 ng/ml and that of the control group was 346 +/- 68 ng/ml and the difference was significant (p<0.01). In univariable analysis, patients with maximum tumor size of 5cm or greater (p<0.01), more advanced lymph node status (p<0.01) and more advanced TNM staging (p<0.01) were shown to have significantly higher serum levels of circulating intercellular adhesion molecule-1. However, in multivariable analysis, TNM staging was demonstrated to be the only independent factor (p<0.01) related to significant, higher serum level of circulating intercellular adhesion molecule-1. Conclusion: Preoperative serum levels of circulating intercellular adhesion molecule-1 may reflect the severity of staging for invasive breast cancer and may be a promising, additive predictor which deserves further investigation.