Axillary node status in breast cancer patients prior to surgery by imaging with Tc-99m humanised anti-PEM monoclonal antibody, hHMFG1

In early breast cancer axillary nodes are usually impalpable and over 50% of such patients may have an axillary clearance when no nodes are involved, This work identifies axillary node status by imaging with a Tc-99m radiolabelled anti-Polymorphic Epithelial Mucin, humanised monoclonal antibody (human milk fat globule 1), prior to surgery in 30 patients. Change detection analysis of image data with probability mapping is undertaken, A specificity of 93% and positive predictive value of 92%. (both 100% if a second cancer in the axilla with negative nodes is considered) were found. A strategy for combining negative imaging with the sentinel node procedure is presented. (C) 2002 Cancer Research UK.