BACKGROUND: The present study was undertaken to analyze the prognostic value of loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at 13q12-13, 17q21 and 17p13, harboring BRCA2, BRCA1 and p53 to predict the clinical course of sporadic breast cancer patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: LOH analysis was performed by PCR amplification of genomic DNA using nine microsatellite markers. Fifty-three sporadic breast cancer patients were followed clinically for a median of 55 months. Disease-free and overall survival was documented as the endpoint for statistical evaluation. RESULTS: Patients presenting with LOH in their tumor samples at at least one of the loci examined were found to have a reduced overall survival time compared to those retaining heterozygosity (61% versus 48%). Focusing on the three target regions, patients with LOH at the BRCA2 locus died earlier compared to patients retaining heterozygosity (69% versus 50%) and, in addition, BRCA2 LOH-positive patients showed a shorter metastasis-free interval (30 versus 37 months). In a multivariate analysis, LOH at the 13q12-13 locus was found to be a significant predictor for reduced long-term survival (risk ratio 2.33, 95% C.I., 1.0-5.3; p<0.05) and earlier metastases manifestation (risk ratio 2.32, 95% C.I., 1.0-5.3, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Allelic loss at the BRCA2 locus may be of use as a negative predictor for metastases-free and overall survival.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Certain aspects of laterality research].

One-side dominance, known as morphological and functional asymmetry, in the limbs a human characteristic that is of genetic or of both genetic and environmental origin. There are several aspects investigating laterality in men. Altogether it is possible to distinguish morphological and functional asymmetries. A vast range of testing techniques have been used to assess handedness. Asymmetry in hand use takes two forms: differential hand preference and differential dexterity between the hands. Writing hand and self-report are two of the most popular techniques. Other preference measures include observation of how people use tools and questionnaires. Performance tests assess speed and accuracy in tasks stressing manipulative dexterity. Morphologic asymmetries are not so useful for the investigation of the handedness. This method should only be used in past mortem examinations. The literature on laterality is large, but there are only a few studies in the last years concerning the morphologic asymmetries compared to the studies on functional asymmetries.

Functional Laterality↗