Detection of disseminated lung cancer cells in lymph nodes by monoclonal antibodies: impact on staging and prognosis

Abstract

The recent development of monoclonal antibodies has made possible the detection of tumoral cells in blood and bone marrow. The immunohistochemical assay allows the discovery of metastatic cells in lymph nodes of patients with NSCLC. Using the monoclonal antibody Ber-Ep4, positive cells were demonstrated in 21.6% of 125 patients staged as tumor free by conventional histopathology. No correlation was detected between Ber-Ep4 positive cells and other pathological factor (T factor, Histology, Grading). Positive nodal cells were associated with a reduced disease-free survival. This test could represent a new criterion for adjuvant therapy and for selecting high-risk patients.