Aristeidis G Vaiopoulos1, Ioannis D Kostakis2, Eliona Gkioka3, Kalliopi Ch Athanasoula3, Emmanouil Pikoulis4, Alexandros Papalambros4, Panagiotis Christopoulos3, Helen Gogas5, Gregory Kouraklis2, Michael Koutsilieris3. 1. Department of Experimental Physiology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Athens, Greece avaiopoulos@gmail.com. 2. Second Department of Propedeutic Surgery, Laiko General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Athens, Greece. 3. Department of Experimental Physiology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Athens, Greece. 4. First Department of Surgery, Laiko General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Athens, Greece. 5. First Department of Medicine, Laiko General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Athens, Greece.
Abstract
AIM: The aim of this study was the development of a multiplex-PCR assay for the detection of circulating tumor cells in patients with colorectal and gastric cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Peripheral blood samples were collected from 81 patients with colorectal cancer, 16 with gastric cancer and 38 healthy blood donors, as controls. The samples were processed for RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis and were subsequently analyzed for the expression of cytokeratin 19 (CK19), cytokeratin 20(CK20) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) with multiplex PCR. RESULTS: Statistical analysis revealed that the combination of CK19 and CK20 could be useful in the exclusion of colorectal cancer, as well as the diagnosis and exclusion of gastric cancer. Furthermore, the expression of EGFR was correlated with the presence of systemic disease in patients with colorectal cancer. CONCLUSION: Multiplex-PCR-based detection of circulating tumor cells could serve as a useful tool for the diagnosis, and monitoring of patients with colorectal and gastric cancer. Copyright
AIM: The aim of this study was the development of a multiplex-PCR assay for the detection of circulating tumor cells in patients with colorectal and gastric cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Peripheral blood samples were collected from 81 patients with colorectal cancer, 16 with gastric cancer and 38 healthy blood donors, as controls. The samples were processed for RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis and were subsequently analyzed for the expression of cytokeratin 19 (CK19), cytokeratin 20(CK20) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) with multiplex PCR. RESULTS: Statistical analysis revealed that the combination of CK19 and CK20 could be useful in the exclusion of colorectal cancer, as well as the diagnosis and exclusion of gastric cancer. Furthermore, the expression of EGFR was correlated with the presence of systemic disease in patients with colorectal cancer. CONCLUSION: Multiplex-PCR-based detection of circulating tumor cells could serve as a useful tool for the diagnosis, and monitoring of patients with colorectal and gastric cancer. Copyright