Prognostic value of circulating soluble E-selectin concentrations in node-negative breast cancer patients.

Several studies have suggested that endothelial cells participate in tumor development. Soluble E-selectin (sE-selectin) is specifically released by activated endothelial cells, and its serum concentration can be considered a marker of endothelial activation. In this study, we assessed the prognostic value of sE-selectin concentrations in node-negative breast cancer patients. Serum sE-selectin concentrations were measured by an ELISA method prior to surgery in 456 node-negative breast cancer patients. We analyzed also tumor size (TS), histoprognostic grading, and steroid hormone receptor status. The mean sE-selectin concentration was 24.9 +/- 15.0 ng/ml. The sE-selectin concentrations were mildly correlated with the TS but not with the other factors. For prognostic analyses, the median follow-up duration was 7.5 years. The cutoff sE-selectin concentration used was 40 ng/ml. In overall survival studies, univariate analyses demonstrated a prognostic value of sE-selectin, TS, and histoprognostic grading, and multivariate analyses demonstrated a prognostic value of sE-selectin and TS. For disease-free survival, univariate and multivariate analyses demonstrated a prognostic value of sE-selectin and TS. sE-selectin concentration is an easily measurable and strong prognostic factor in node-negative breast cancer patients. These results provide further evidence for the role of adhesion molecules expression by endothelial cells in tumor progression.