Quantitative detection of carcinoembryonic antigen messenger RNA in the peritoneal cavity of gastric cancer patients by real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.

BACKGROUND: Peritoneal dissemination is the most frequent cause of recurrence in gastric cancer patients after gastrectomy. We have previously demonstrated the prognostic factors in gastric cancer including growth factors and their receptors and intra-peritoneal CEA (1,2).
MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the present study, to elucidate whether CEA mRNA in peritoneal lavage is a good marker for the prediction of peritoneal recurrence of gastric cancer patients, quantitative real-time RT-PCR with primers specific for CEA was performed by peritoneal lavage of 124 gastric cancer patients collected at the time of operation.
RESULTS: CEA crossing-point values (CEA-CP) were significantly correlated with the depth of tumor invasion and the values were cut-off at 27.11, which was the minimum value of mucosal cancer patients. The CEA-CP was significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis, lymphatic invasion, venous invasion, stages and overall survivals. In prediction of peritoneal recurrence by CEA-CP, sensitivity and specificity were 76.9% and 67.7%, respectively. Cytology predicted peritoneal recurrence with 23.1% sensitivity and 98.1% specificity.
CONCLUSION: Quantitative RT-PCR of CEA mRNA of peritoneal lavage is a useful factor for prognosis and predicting peritoneal recurrence.