An evaluation of the SCM test for the diagnosis of cancer of the breast

The SCM test (structuredness of the cytoplasmic matrix) consists of measuring the fluorescence polarization of fluorescein which is introduced into a particular sub-group of peripheral lymphocytes. The test has a non-specific part for the general detection of cancer and a specificity procedure which is based on the use of specific cancer extracts. In this article we deal only with the latter in relation to breast cancer. Blood samples from 94 patients have been tested; six of these had mastectomy performed previously; 83 underwent consecutively a surgical procedure and histology was obtained; five were only clinically examined. In 45 49 (92%) patients, correlation between a positive specifity test and tissue malignancy was found. Out of 35 patients with non-malignant proliferative lesions (as found by histology), 25 reacted positively in the test. Two out of five patients with non-malignant, non-proliferative lesions reacted positively in the test. Five patients who were defined as normals by clinical examination reacted negatively in the test. These results indicate the potential of the SCM test for detecting breast malignancy. The clinical implications of the test for cancer diagnosis are discussed.