Modification of a biologic marker for the detection of breast cancer by means of a novel light imaging device

Normal breast cells and benign breast tumor cells are devoid of transferrin receptors, whereas breast carcinomas have high expression of transferrin receptors. For the detection of breast cancer cells by means of a prototype transilluminating light imaging device, human transferrin was coupled with fluorescein isothiocyanate. Mouse mammary tumor cells (EMT 6) were incubated separately with fluorescein isothiocyanate-transferrin conjugate and transferrin alone. On imaging, the cells treated with fluorescein isothiocyanate-transferrin absorbed significantly more light than did cells treated with transferrin alone. This finding is important in enhancing the potential of contrast-based light imaging for early detection of breast cancer