Cytokeratin-19 expression in breast cancer metastatic lymph nodes

Lymph mode (LN) metastases are one of the most prominent prognostic factors in breast cancer (BC). Expression analysis of specific metastatic molecular markers, in particular cytokeratin-19, makes diagnostic procedure more objective and reproducible in comparison with routine morphological examination. Materials and methods: we analyzed expression level of cytokeratin-19 mRNA in 130 breast cancer lymph nodes. Metastases (MTS) in LN were morphologically proven in 48% (n=62) of cases. Real-time PCR has been used for CK-19 expression analysis. Results: CK-19 expression level was significantly higher in metastatic lymph nodes as compared to non-metastatic (p=0,00001). Sensitivity and specificity were 97% and 92%, respectively. Conclusion: Sensitivity and specificity of CK-19 expression is sufficient for lymph nodes metastases verification in clinical practice.