Detection of breast cancer cells in ductal lavage fluid by methylation-specific PCR

If detected early, breast cancer is curable. We tested cells collected from the breast ducts by methylation-specific PCR (MSP), Methylated alleles of Cyclln D2, RAR-beta and Twist genes were frequently detected in fluid from mammary ducts containing endoscopically visualised carcinomas (17 cases of 20), and ductal carcinoma in situ (two of seven), but rarely in ductal lava ge fluid from healthy ducts (five of 45), Two of the women with healthy mam mograms whose ductal lavage fluid contained methylated markers and cytologi cally abnormal cells were subsequently diagnosed with breast cancer. Carryi ng out MSP in these quid samples may provide a sensitive and powerful addit ion to mammographic screening for early detection of breast cancer.