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World J Gastroenterol. Jul 14, 2006; 12(26): 4195-4198
Published online Jul 14, 2006. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v12.i26.4195
Circulating hTERT mRNA as a tumor marker in cholangiocarcinoma patients
Kawin Leelawat, Surang Leelawat, Thawee Ratanachu-Ek, Somboon Trubwongchareon, Jerasak Wannaprasert, Saad Tripongkaruna, Suchart Chantawibul, Panadda Tepaksorn
Kawin Leelawat, Thawee Ratanachu-Ek, Somboon Trubwongchareon, Jerasak Wannaprasert, Saad Tripongkaruna, Suchart Chantawibul, Department of Surgery, Rajavithi Hospital, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
Kawin Leelawat, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
Surang Leelawat, Faculty of Pharmacy, Rangsit University, Patumthani, 12000, Thailand
Panadda Tepaksorn, Medical Biotechnology Center, National Institute of Health, 13000, Thailand
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Supported by Thailand Research Fund and Rajavithi Hospital Fund
Correspondence to: Kawin Leelawat MD, PhD, Department of Surgery, Rajavithi Hospital, Rajavithi Rd, Rajathevi, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand. kawin_leelawat@hotmail.com
Telephone: +66-2-3548080 Fax: +66-2-3548080
Received: January 24, 2006
Revised: February 15, 2006
Accepted: February 28, 2006
Published online: July 14, 2006
Abstract

AIM: To investigate human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) mRNA in the serum of cholangiocarcinoma patients.

METHODS: The serum of thirty three cholangiocarcinoma patients, forty one benign biliary tract disease patients and ten healthy volunteers were collected and analyzed for the expression of hTERT mRNA by real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). We then examined the correlation between values of serum hTERT mRNA and the pathological staging of cholangiocarcinoma.

RESULTS: hTERT mRNA was detected in 28 of 33 (84.85%) of serum obtained from cholangiocarcinoma patients and 9 of 41 (21.9%) of serum obtained from benign biliary tract disease patients. hTERT mRNA was not detected in any serum obtained from healthy volunteers. on the other hand the common tumor marker, CA19-9 was detected in 20 of 33 (60.6%) of serum obtained from cholangiocarcinoma patients and 8 of 41 (19.5%) of serum obtained from benign biliary tract disease patients. However, no correlation was found between the present of serum hTERT mRNA and tumor staging.

CONCLUSION: These results indicate that the detection of circulating hTERT mRNA was identified in almost all cholangiocarcinoma patients. It offers a novel tumor marker, which can be used as a complementary study for diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma.

Keywords: Cholangiocarcinoma; Telomerase; hTERT; Real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction