Prognostic relevance of DNA flow cytometry in breast cancer revisited: The 25‑year experience of the Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Lisbon (Review)

  • Authors:
    • António E. Pinto
    • Teresa Pereira
    • Giovani L. Silva
    • Saudade André
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: February 13, 2017     https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2017.5718
  • Pages: 2027-2033
Metrics: Total Views: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )
Total PDF Downloads: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )


Abstract

The potential prognostic significance of DNA flow cytometric measurements (DNA ploidy and S‑phase fraction) in breast cancer remains in dispute. Inconclusive data, primarily due to the lack of consistent standardization and quality control programs, have limited its translation into clinical practice. The aim of the present review, based on the 25‑year experience of the Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Lisbon, is to assess the clinical relevance and application of DNA flow cytometry for the prognosis of breast cancer. Overall, data from Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Lisbon indicate that DNA flow cytometry provides significant prognostic information that is biologically relevant and clinically useful for the management of patients with breast cancer. Furthermore, this data has demonstrated the independent value of DNA aneuploidy as a prognostic indicator of poor clinical outcome in various subgroups of patients with early or locally advanced breast cancer at short‑ and long‑term follow‑up. Notably, aneuploidy identifies subsets of patients with grade (G)1 or G2 tumours who exhibit a poor clinical outcome. These patients may benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy, particularly those with luminal A and luminal B/human epidermal growth factor‑2‑negative endocrine‑responsive breast cancer. In conclusion, data from Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Lisbon reinforces the clinical importance and utility of DNA flow cytometric analysis, particularly DNA ploidy, in the prognostic assessment and therapeutic planning for patients with breast cancer.

Related Articles

Journal Cover

April-2017
Volume 13 Issue 4

Print ISSN: 1792-1074
Online ISSN:1792-1082

Sign up for eToc alerts

Recommend to Library

Copy and paste a formatted citation
x
Spandidos Publications style
Pinto AE, Pereira T, Silva GL and André S: Prognostic relevance of DNA flow cytometry in breast cancer revisited: The 25‑year experience of the Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Lisbon (Review). Oncol Lett 13: 2027-2033, 2017
APA
Pinto, A.E., Pereira, T., Silva, G.L., & André, S. (2017). Prognostic relevance of DNA flow cytometry in breast cancer revisited: The 25‑year experience of the Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Lisbon (Review). Oncology Letters, 13, 2027-2033. https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2017.5718
MLA
Pinto, A. E., Pereira, T., Silva, G. L., André, S."Prognostic relevance of DNA flow cytometry in breast cancer revisited: The 25‑year experience of the Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Lisbon (Review)". Oncology Letters 13.4 (2017): 2027-2033.
Chicago
Pinto, A. E., Pereira, T., Silva, G. L., André, S."Prognostic relevance of DNA flow cytometry in breast cancer revisited: The 25‑year experience of the Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Lisbon (Review)". Oncology Letters 13, no. 4 (2017): 2027-2033. https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2017.5718