Detection of cell-free ERCC1 and thymidylate synthase (TS) mRNA in malignant effusions and its association with anticancer drug sensitivity.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to characterize cell-free mRNA in malignant effusions and evaluate its correlation with the sensitivity of primary tumor cells to cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU).


METHODS
Malignant effusions were collected from 43 patients and ERCC1 and TS mRNA transcripts in both the supernatants and tumor cells were characterized by real-time quantitative PCR. The sensitivity of primary tumor cells to cisplatin and 5-FU was analyzed using an ATP-TCA assay.


RESULTS
Cell-free ERCC1 and TS mRNA transcripts were observed in 42 out of 43 specimens, with variable levels comparing gene expression patterns in paired-tumor cells (p < 0.0001, p = 0.02, respectively). TS mRNA levels in the supernatants were inversely correlated with the in vitro sensitivity of cancer cells to 5-FU in the gastrointestinal group (p = 0.002).


CONCLUSIONS
The cell-free mRNA transcripts in malignant effusions were highly detectable and cell-free TS mRNA in gastrointestinal cancer patients were strongly associated with the sensitivity of primary cancer cells to 5-FU in vitro.
Department of Oncology, Drum Tower Hospital Affiliated to Medical School of Nanjing University & Clinical Cancer Institute of Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China.
Lifeng
L
Wang
Baorui
B
Liu
Tingting
T
Wang
Yitao
Y
Ding
Xiaoping
X
Qian
Yang
Y
Zhao
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001201:Ascites / Q000378:metabolism*; D002474:Cell-Free System; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; D004720:Endonucleases / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016066:Pleural Effusion, Malignant / Q000737:chemistry*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D013940:Thymidylate Synthase / Q000235:genetics*
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D013940:Thymidylate Synthase; C071447:ERCC1 protein, human; D004720:Endonucleases; D002945:Cisplatin; D005472:Fluorouracil