Allelic loss in chromosomal region 1q21–23 in breast cancer is associated with peritumoral angiolymphatic invasion and extensive intraductal component

Aims: Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer in the female population and the involvement of chromosomal alterations is often implicated in the development of cancer. The aim of our study was to assess loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in chromosome 1 in relation to clinical and pathological parameters. Methods: Tumours, corresponding normal tissues and peripheral blood samples from 50 women with operable breast cancer, were analysed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) at 16 polymorphic DNA markers, on both the long and short arm of chromosome 1. Results: There was a significant correlation between chromosomal region 1q21–23 and the presence of extensive intraductal component (EIC) and peritumoral angiolymphatic (PALI) invasion, both independent markers of local recurrence. Conclusions: Allelic loss in region 1q21–23 may be a valuable prognostic biological marker for the detection of local relapse in breast cancer, in combination with other histological and clinical parameters.