Other Research Studies

Dr. Edward Sauter, MD, PhD, PI

The goal of the research at the Breast Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Laboratory is to develop noninvasive and minimally invasive tools to aid in preventing and detecting breast cancer.

In 1994, Dr. Edward Sauter and his research team developed clinical trials using breast nipple aspiration. Since then, more than 700 women have been enrolled in these research studies. The goal is to identify markers, or indicators, of breast cancer risk. These studies have demonstrated that nipple aspirate fluid can be collected in essentially all adult women without side effects, that it can be repeated as necessary if additional samples are needed, and that markers of breast cancer risk can be identified. The markers include:

• Nipple aspirate cytology, which, if abnormal, is highly associated with the presence of both newly diagnosed and residual breast cancer
  
• Ploidy, which, if abnormal, is highly associated with the presence of breast cancer
  
• Prostate-specific antigen, made by the breast and inversely associated with breast cancer risk
  
• Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3, the major binding protein of IGF-I, secreted by the breast ductal cells and directly associated with breast cancer risk
  

For further information about current research projects in the Breast Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Laboratory, click here: www.breastcancerlab.org

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