Prognostic significance of serum IgE levels in primary breast cancer

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Abstract
Serum IgE was measured in presurgical sera from 166 nonallergic women admitted to a comprehensive, multidisciplinary study of primary, operable breast cancer. During the follow-up period, which averaged 48 months, there were 71 recurrences. Patients were divided into two groups: those with IgE levels greater than the geometric mean value of 24 I.U. and those with levels less than the mean. The rate of tumor recurrence was significantly greater for the IgE > 24 group (pp<0.015). IgE was not correlated with any of these known prognostic factors in individual analyses. We conclude that serum IgE level is a significant, independent prognostic indicator in primary breast cancer.