Tumor DNA in plasma at diagnosis of @entity0 XXXX is a valuable predictor of disease-free survival.

@entity1 @entity0 @entity5 @entity876 @entity3
PURPOSE: We examine prospectively whether the presence of plasma DNA with @entity5 characteristics before mastectomy is a predictive factor related to recurrence and disease-free survival (DFS). EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: A series of 147 @entity1 with @entity0 , selected sequentially, was analyzed. The characterization of plasma DNA, based on similar alterations in @entity5 and plasma DNA, was achieved with six polymorphic markers (D17S855, D17S654, D16S421, TH(2), D10S197, and D9S161) and mutations in the @entity876 gene. Recurrence, DFS, overall survival, and 12 other clinicopathological parameters were obtained. Univariate and Cox's multivariate studies were performed. RESULTS: A total of 142 @entity1 were eligible for study. A total of 104 @entity5 (73.2%) showed at least one molecular alteration. In 61 @entity1 (42.9%), a similar molecular alteration was detected in plasma DNA and @entity5 DNA. No alterations were found in the plasma DNA of the remaining 81 @entity1 (57%). During the follow-up period (median, 22 months; range, 1-46 months), we observed 23 recurrences (16%), the distribution of which was significantly different (P = 0.005) with regard to plasma DNA [17 @entity1 (74%) with circulating @entity5 DNA and 6 @entity1 (26%) without @entity5 plasma DNA]. Univariate statistical analysis confirmed the prognostic significance of the already known parameters ( @entity5 size, lymph node @entity3 , and stage) and demonstrated that @entity5 plasma DNA was a predictor of DFS. In multivariate analysis, an independent borderline significance was observed for @entity5 plasma DNA. CONCLUSIONS: Tumor DNA in plasma at diagnosis in @entity0 @entity1 can predict DFS, and its determination could be used as a prognostic factor in these @entity1 .
