Cytometry Experiments studies and Findings

The Radiotherapy Oncology Group (RTOG) morbidity score system was used to classify the toxicity of patients. Acute toxicity was evaluated during and at the end of RT. Late cutaneous and subcutaneous toxicity was evaluated every three months during the first two years, every six months to five years, and thereafter annually. At the end of the analysis (January 2011), the mean clinical follow-up of survivors (n = 13) was 197.23 months (range 155-228). The time point finally used for analysis corresponds to the last evaluation.


LAHH has written the manuscript, has participated in the statistical analysis, has made tables and has been involved in type of packaging likewise in the submission process. RCV has made the last revision of patients as well as the update of the medical records. BP and ML have made the selection of patients, the evaluation of clinical variables and grade of toxicity as well as all the aspects related with the patients selected, including the treatment. EB and CRG have made the cell experiments with lymphocytes, irradiation of cells, flow cytometry experiments and data acquisition. MIN has been involved in conception and design of the study and has made the DNA-DSB experiments and analyses. PCL has been involved in conception and design of the study and in drafting the manuscript and has given final approval of the version to be published. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Twenty-six consecutive patients diagnosed in our institution with locally advanced/inflammatory breast cancer were recruited prospectively for the study after they signed informed consent to their participation. The study was approved by the Research and Ethics Committee of our Institution. All patients were treated between 1992 and 1997; blood samples for radiosensitivity testing were extracted between February and December 1998. All the analyses were double-blinded to ensure their reliability. Mean age of patients was 57.62 ± 12.9 years (range 30-83). The majority of patients were postmenopausal (69.2%), presented bra size over 100 (65.4%), and non-inflammatory LABC (73.1%). Characteristics of patients are detailed in Table 1. Evaluation of clinical toxicity was made in each visit.