J Korean Gastric Cancer Assoc.  2003 Sep;3(3):128-133.

Use of RT-PCR for CK20 and CEA mRNA to Detect of Micrometastasis in the Draining Venous Blood and the Peritoneum in Gastric Cancer Patients

• Joo JK
• Lee JH
• Koh YS
• Kim JC
• Ryu SY
• Kim DY
• Kim YJ

Abstract

PURPOSE: The benefits of the "no-touch" isolation technique that is usually performed to prevent the circulation of tumor cells are not evident. The aim of this study was to determine whether the no-touch isolation technique for treating gastrointestinal cancers could prevent the circulation of tumor cells detected by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Matrials and Methods: By using RT-PCR to amplify mRNAs for two specific epithelial markers, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and cytokeratin 20 (CK-20), we examined 34 gastric cancer patients who had been histologically diagnosed and 22 patients had undergone serosal and peritoneal brushing.
RESULTS
In 10 (29.4%) of the 34 gastric cancer patients, we detected CK20 mRNA before manipulation, and in 17 (51.5%) of those patients, after we detected it. The density of the CK20 mRNA band was increased in 11 cases (33.3%) and the density was decreased in 2 cases (6.1%). In 16 (48.5%) of the 34 gastric cancer patients, we detected CEA mRNA before manipulation, and in 17 (51.5%) patients after we detected it. The density of the CEA mRNA band was increased in 8 cases (24.2%) and decreased in 3 cases (9.1%).
CONCLUSION
These result suggest that the "no-touch isolation technique" might be useful when operating on advanced gastric cancer patients and that serosal or Douglas pouch brushing can be used to determine the status of micrometastasis.

Keyword

Gastric cancer; Micrometastasis; Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR); Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA); Cytokeratin 20 (CK-20)

MeSH Terms

Carcinoembryonic Antigen
Douglas' Pouch
Gastrointestinal Neoplasms
Humans
Keratin-20
Neoplasm Micrometastasis*
Peritoneum*
Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
RNA, Messenger*
Stomach Neoplasms*
Carcinoembryonic Antigen
Keratin-20
RNA, Messenger