Leelawat K, Narong S, Udomchaiprasertkul W, Wannaprasert J, Treepongkaruna SA, Subwongcharoen S, Ratanashu-ek T. Prognostic relevance of circulating CK19 mRNA in advanced malignant biliary tract diseases. World J Gastroenterol 2012; 18(2): 175-181 [PMID: 22253524 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v18.i2.175]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Dr. Kawin Leelawat, Department of Surgery, Rajavithi Hospital, Bangkok 10400, Thailand. kawin.leelawat@gmail.com
Article-Type of This Article
Brief Article
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Kawin Leelawat, Siriluck Narong, Jerasak Wannaprasert, Sa-ard Treepongkaruna, Somboon Subwongcharoen, Tawee Ratanashu-ek, Department of Surgery, Rajavithi Hospital, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
Kawin Leelawat, Siriluck Narong, Jerasak Wannaprasert, Sa-ard Treepongkaruna, Somboon Subwongcharoen, Tawee Ratanashu-ek, College of Medicine, Rangsit University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
Wandee Udomchaiprasertkul, Cancer Molecular Therapeutics Unit, Chulabhorn Hospital, Bangkok 10110, Thailand
Author contributions: Leelawat K, Narong S and Udomchaiprasertkul W performed the majority of experiments; Leelawat K, Wannaprasert J, Treepongkaruna S, Subwongcharoen S and Ratanashu-ek T provided vital reagents and analytical tools; and Leelawat K designed the study and wrote the manuscript.
Supported by Rajavithi Hospital Project Grant and Thailand Research Fund, No. RSA52
Correspondence to: Dr. Kawin Leelawat, Department of Surgery, Rajavithi Hospital, Bangkok 10400, Thailand. kawin.leelawat@gmail.com
Telephone: +66-2-3548080 Fax: +66-2-3548080
Received: April 9, 2011 Revised: June 17, 2011 Accepted: June 24, 2011 Published online: January 14, 2012
Abstract
AIM: To determine the role of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in prediction of the overall survival of patients with advanced malignant biliary tract obstruction.
METHODS: We investigated the prognostic value of CTCs by examining two markers, cytokeratin (CK) 19 and human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) mRNA, in 40 patients diagnosed with advanced malignant biliary tract diseases. Quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to detect CK19 and hTERT mRNA in the peripheral blood of these patients. Overall survival was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression modeling.
RESULTS: Positive CK19 and hTERT mRNA expression was detected in 45% and 60%, respectively, of the 40 patients. Univariable analysis indicated that positive CK19 mRNA expression was significantly associated with worse overall survival (P = 0.009). Multivariable analysis determined that positive CK19 mRNA expression, patient’s age and serum bilirubin were each independently associated with overall survival.
CONCLUSION: CK19 mRNA expression levels in peripheral blood appear to provide a valuable marker to predict the overall survival of patients with advanced malignant biliary tract obstruction.
