Human kallikrein 2 (hK2) mRNA in peripheral blood of patients with thyroid cancer: a novel molecular marker?
OBJECTIVE
To elucidate whether hK2 mRNA can be detected in peripheral blood of patients with thyroid disease using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).


METHODS
A nested RT-PCR protocol for the detection of hK2 mRNA was established, and blood samples of 72 patients with a history of thyroid cancer, 10 patients with current metastases of thyroid cancer, and 32 volunteers were tested.


RESULTS
hK2-transcripts were significantly more often detected in patients with thyroid cancer (20/72=28%) than in the control group (2/32=6%, P = 0.03, chi-square analysis).


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first study reporting on hK2 as a potential molecular marker for patients with thyroid cancer. We could demonstrate a correlation between diagnosis of thyroid cancer and the positive signal for hK2 in the RT-PCR assay. Future studies are necessary to prove the clinical value of hK2 as a molecular marker regarding recurrence and outcome.
Roddiger
Sandra J
SJ
Department of Radiation Oncology, Academic Hospital, Starkenburgring 66, 63069, Offenbach, Germany.
Renneberg
Heiner
H
Martin
Thomas
T
Tunn
Ulf W
UW
Zamboglou
Nikolaos
N
Kurek
Ralf
R
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics; D002291:Carcinoma, Papillary / Q000097:blood; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000097:blood*; D020840:Tissue Kallikreins / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D018076:DNA, Complementary; D020840:Tissue Kallikreins