Clodronate can reduce the incidence and number of new bony and visceral metastases in women with breast cancer who are at high risk for distant metastases.

These long-term survival data extend the survival advantage reported in previous studies with oral clodronate in breast cancer.

The results of this study clearly indicate that low-dose radioactive endovascular stents potently inhibit SMC proliferation and neointimal hyperplasia in rabbits.

SummaryPatients with an elevated level of urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) in breast cancer tissue have an adverse prognosis. This study evaluated the prognostic relevance of uPA detection in disseminated tumour cells in bone marrow. Bone marrow was sampled intraoperatively from both iliac crests in 280 patients with primary breast cancer. Interphase cells were enhanced and stained immunocytologically with two antibodies: 2E11, which detects TAG 12 -a tumour-associated glycoprotein typically expressed by almost all breast cancer cells -and the anti-uPA antibody HD-UK9. Thirty-five of the 2E1 1-positive women (n = 132, 47%) developed metastatic disease (median follow-up time 44 months). Of these, most were uPA positive (n = 23, 65%) and only 12 were uPA negative. Patients with uPApositive cells in bone marrow (n = 98, 35%) had a significantly shorter metastasis-free interval (36 months) than women who were uPA negative (44.5 months). The worst prognosis was seen in patients positive for both markers (29.5 months), followed by those who were uPA negative and 2E11 positive (37 months). The detection of uPA on disseminated tumour cells characterizes a subgroup of patients with an even worse prognosis, who should undergo more aggressive adjuvant systemic therapy. For the first time, it was possible to evaluate an important qualitative parameter involved in the process of breast cancer metastases.

Patients with an elevated level of cathepsin D in breast cancer tissue have an adverse prognosis. This study evaluated the prognostic relevance of cathepsin D detection in disseminated tumour cells in bone marrow. Bone marrow was sampled intraoperatively from both anterior iliac crests in 290 patients with primary breast cancer. Interphase cells were enhanced and stained immunocytologically with two antibodies: BM2, which detects tumour-associated glycoprotein TAG 12, which is typically expressed by almost all breast cancer cells, and the anti-cathepsin D antibody. 67 of 149 BM2-positive women (45%) developed metastatic disease (median follow-up time: 69 months). Of these, 15 were cathepsin D-positive (22%). Patients with cathepsin D-positive cells in bone marrow (n = 26; 9%) had a significantly shorter metastasis-free interval (38 months) compared with women who were cathepsin D-negative (64.5 months). The worst prognosis was seen in patients positive for both markers (30.5 months), followed by those who were cathepsin D-negative and BM2-positive (48 months). The detection of cathepsin D on disseminated tumour cells characterises a subgroup of patients with a poorer prognosis who should undergo more aggressive adjuvant systemic therapy.