title: Detection of regional lymph node metastases in colon cancer by using RT-PCR for matrix metalloproteinase 7, matrilysin.
abstract: Lymph node metastasis is the most important prognostic factor in colon cancer. However, more accurate screening for metastasis than that afforded by conventional pathology remains elusive. We have employed a reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay for a matrix metalloproteinase (MMP), 'matrilysin', because this gene is epithelial-specific and consistently expressed in colorectal cancer cells. The sensitivity of this assay was examined with the matrilysin-producing rectal cancer cell line 'CaR-1'. Matrilysin mRNA was detected in this system when more than 10(4) matrilysin-positive cells existed in a lymph node of ordinary size. Fourteen of 15 (93%) primary colon cancers and none of the surrounding normal tissues expressed matrilysin. All 10 histologically-positive lymph nodes were positive for matrilysin, while of 60 histologically-negative lymph nodes, eight were positive for matrilysin. When the additional sequential sectioning and histological re-examination was performed on five of these eight 'matrilysin-positive, but histologically-negative' lymph nodes, micrometastases were detected in three. Only one of the lymph nodes that were histologically-positive, but negative by matrilysin assay was from a patient with colon cancer in which matrilysin was not detected. In conclusion, RT-PCR assay for matrilysin is a sensitive method for detecting occult metastases in patients with colon cancer, and may complement histologic examination.
authors.affiliation: Second Department of Surgery, Yokohama City University, School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ichikawa
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ishikawa
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Momiyama
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yamaguchi
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Masui
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hasegawa
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Chishima
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Takimoto
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kitamura
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Akitaya
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hosokawa
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mitsuhashi
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shimada
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D020783:Matrix Metalloproteinase 7; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases; D020783:Matrix Metalloproteinase 7