title: Prediction of distant metastasis by using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction for epithelial and variant CD44 mRNA in the peripheral blood of patients with colorectal cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) has been used to identify small numbers of tumor cells. Molecular detection is thought to provide useful information for the clinical management of postoperative adjuvant therapy regimens.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To use RT-PCR to identify messenger RNA (mRNA) coding for carcinoembryonic antigen, epithelial and variant CD44, and matrix metalloproteinase 7 in the portal venous and peripheral blood of patients with colorectal carcinoma to predict live or distant metastasis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective consecutive series.
  
  
  METHODS
  University hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Portal venous and peripheral blood samples were obtained from 22 patients with colorectal cancer during surgical manipulation. Using complementary DNA primers specific for carcinoembryonic antigen, CD44, and matrix metalloproteinase 7, RT-PCR was performed to detect tumor cells.
  
  
  METHODS
  The clinical significance of RT-PCR for epithelial and variant CD44 mRNA in peripheral blood.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During 3 years of follow-up, 2 patients whose peripheral blood had carcinoembryonic antigen and CD44 variant mRNA also had distant metastases (lung or spleen). Expression of epithelial and variant CD44 mRNA in peripheral blood was more highly correlated with the clinical cancer stage than with expression of carcinoembryonic antigen and matrix metalloproteinase 7.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Molecular detection of epithelial and variant CD44 mRNA in the peripheral blood may help determine distant metastases in patients with colorectal carcinoma. Molecular detection in the peripheral blood at surgical treatment suggests that systemic hematogenic tumor cell dissemination is an early event of distant metastasis.
authors.affiliation: Second Department of Surgery, Wakayama Medical University, School of Medicine 811-1 Kimiidera, Wakayama 641-8510, Japan.
authors.forename: Shozo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yokoyama
authors.forename: Hiroki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yamaue
mesh_terms: D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D018960:Hyaluronan Receptors / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood*; D020783:Matrix Metalloproteinase 7 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood*; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen; D018960:Hyaluronan Receptors; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D020783:Matrix Metalloproteinase 7