Ets-1 gene expression in patients with thymoma.
OBJECTIVE
The Ets-1 protooncogene transcription factor is involved in several cellular functions, including the activation of several proteases, and reportedly plays an important role in carcinoma invasion and metastasis. We hypothesize that Ets-1 mRNA expression could be a predictor of thymoma development and invasion.


METHODS
Subjects were 37 patients with thymoma whose mRNA expression was quantified by real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using LightCycler, a microvolume multisample fluorimeter.


RESULTS
No significant difference was found in Ets-1 mRNA expression for gender, age, or pathological subtype. Ets-1 mRNA expression in tumor tissues from stage II-IV thymoma (25.311 +/- 42.336) was more elevated than in that from stage I thymoma (2.097 +/- 4.492) (p = 0.0374). Ets-1 mRNA expression may thus serve as a marker of higher thymoma stages.


CONCLUSIONS
With use of the Light Cycler RT-PCR assay, Ets-1 expression may play an important role in the extension and progression of thymoma as in other cancers. Further study and longer follow-up are, however, needed to confirm the Ets-1 impact on biological tumor behavior.
Sasaki
Hidefumi
H
Department of Surgery II, Nagoya City University Medical School, Nagoya, Japan.
Kobayashi
Yoshihiro
Y
Tanahashi
Masayuki
M
Yukiue
Haruhiro
H
Yano
Motoki
M
Kaji
Masahiro
M
Kiriyama
Masanobu
M
Fukai
Ichiro
I
Yamakawa
Yosuke
Y
Fujii
Yoshitaka
Y
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D050784:Proto-Oncogene Protein c-ets-1; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics*; D050783:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ets; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013945:Thymoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D013953:Thymus Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics*
C494041:ETS1 protein, human; D050784:Proto-Oncogene Protein c-ets-1; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D050783:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ets; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014157:Transcription Factors