Clinical significance and correlation between elevated serum TR6 and lympho-metastasis in gastric cancer / 中华外科杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the value of serum TR(6) for the diagnosis and TNM classification in patients with gastric carcinoma.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Serum TR(6) levels were measured using ELISA method in 31 gastric cancer patients, 19 patients with nonmalignant conditions and 29 healthy individuals. TR(6) expression in tumor mass was studied with immunohistochemistry. TR(6) gene copy number in tumor tissues was evaluated by real time PCR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Ninety-seven point nine percent (47 of 48 cases) of healthy individuals and patients with nonmalignant conditions were serum TR(6)-negative. In contrast, 71% (22 of 31 cases) of gastric cancer patients were serum TR(6)-positive. Serum TR(6) positiveness was closely correlated with tumor differentiation status and TNM classification. TR(6) gene amplification did not occur in gastric carcinoma.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Serum TR(6) levels were correlated significantly with TNM stage and histopathological type of tumor. This can help to determine the pre-operative TNM classification and to choose the optimal extent of lymph node dissection for gastric cancer.</p>