Abstract
We examined the expression of cytokeratin 20 (CK20) mRNA in the peripheral blood of oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) patients by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Eleven out of 12 oral SCC patients showed positive RT-PCR results. However, there is no clear relationship between the haematogenous CK20 mRNA and the metastasis. After initial treatment, all of the tumour-free survivors tested showed negative RT-PCR results. CK20 mRNA in peripheral blood can be used as a marker for tumour recurrence but not not for metastasis in oral SCC patients.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Biomarkers, Tumor / blood*
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Carcinoma, Adenosquamous / blood
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Carcinoma, Adenosquamous / pathology
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Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / blood*
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Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / pathology
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Humans
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Intermediate Filament Proteins / blood*
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Keratin-20
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Male
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Mouth Neoplasms / blood*
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Mouth Neoplasms / pathology
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Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / blood*
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Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / pathology
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Neoplastic Cells, Circulating / metabolism*
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Neoplastic Cells, Circulating / pathology
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RNA, Messenger / blood*
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Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
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Tumor Cells, Cultured
Substances
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Biomarkers, Tumor
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Intermediate Filament Proteins
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KRT20 protein, human
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Keratin-20
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RNA, Messenger