Detection of circulating albumin-mRNA by RT-PCR does not indicate metastasizing hepatocellular carcinoma.
Hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) frequently recur after partial liver resection or orthotopic liver transplantation, possibly because of the presence of a small number of hepatoma cells in the peripheral blood. Detection of circulating HCC cells might improve therapeutic options and could predict disease recurrence resulting from a metastasizing disease. In the present study, human albumin-mRNA was detected by RT-PCR in the peripheral blood of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Circulating albumin-specific PCR products were detected in each patient with HCC, but also in healthy volunteers. It is concluded that albumin-mRNA is not specific to circulating hepatoma cells and therefore does not indicate metastasizing disease.
Leonhardt
U
U
Universität Göttingen, Zentrum Innere Medizin, Abteilung Gastroenterologie und Endokrinologie, Germany.
Ritzel
U
U
Ottleben
M
M
Vignoli
A
A
Ramadori
G
G
D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics; D009360:Neoplastic Cells, Circulating; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics; D012016:Reference Values; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000235:genetics*
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012709:Serum Albumin