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World J Gastroenterol. Aug 28, 2006; 12(32): 5219-5222
Published online Aug 28, 2006. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v12.i32.5219
K-19 mRNA RT-PCR in detecting micrometastasis in regional lymph nodes of gastric cancer
Jian Suo, Quan Wang, Hong-Juan Jin, Hong Li, Hang Zhao
Jian Suo, Quan Wang, Hong-Juan Jin, Hong Li, Hang Zhao, Department of General Surgery, First Hospital, Changchun 130021, Jilin Province, China
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Supported by funds from the Science and Technology Department of Jilin Province, China
Correspondence to: Dr. Quan Wang, Department of General Surgery, First Hospital, Changchun 130021, Jilin Province, China. wangquan-jlcc@hotmail.com
Telephone: +86-431-5612421
Received: April 26, 2005
Revised: September 15, 2005
Accepted: September 20, 2005
Published online: August 28, 2006
Abstract

AIM: To investigate the value and prospect of RT-PCR in detecting micrometastasis in regional lymph nodes of gastric cancer.

METHODS: Histopathology was used and K19 mRNA expression was detected by RT-PCR in tumor tissues and lymph nodes from gastric cancer patients undergoing radical resection of gastric carcinoma.

RESULTS: K19 mRNA was expressed in all tumor specimens of 30 cases; of the 126 lymph nodes, 26 were histopathologically positive (20.6%), and 42 positive (33.3%) by RT-PCR. Amplification fragments of 460 and 540 bp were shown in all the tumor tissues and metastatic lymph nodes after K19 and β-actin RT-PCR, while only a 540 bp fragment appeared in the lymph nodes of non-tumor patients.

CONCLUSION: K19 mRNA RT-PCR is sensitive and specific in testing micrometastasis in regional lymph nodes of gastric cancer, and it is superior to routine histopathology.

Keywords: K-19 mRNA; RT-PCR; Micrometastasis; Gastric cancer