title: KOC is a novel molecular indicator of malignancy.
abstract: The detection of malignant cells in fine-needle aspirates (FNA's) using marker genes is hampered by the fact that these markers are only expressed by certain malignancies or lack sensitivity and/or specificity. Here we report the results of a prospective pilot study examining the expression of KOC (KH-domain containing protein over expressed in cancer), a novel onco-foetal gene, in 76 patients who underwent fine-needle aspiration for further diagnosis of abdominal lesions, aszites, cysts or cerebrospinal fluid. Aspirates were examined by cytology and by a KOC RT-PCR assay. KOC expression was a highly sensitive and specific indicator of malignancy. The KOC assay could be useful to facilitate screening for malignant disease and to improve the diagnostic accuracy of FNAs.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of Ulm, Germany.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mueller
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bommer
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Lacher
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ruhland
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Stagge
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Adler
authors.forename: T M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Gress
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Seufferlein
mesh_terms: D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D006801:Humans; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
chemical_list: C498780:IGF2BP3 protein, human; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins