Measurement of tumor cells in the peripheral blood of patients with breast cancer by the MAGE genes as specific markers
- VernacularTitle:以黑色素瘤抗原基因mRNA为特异标记检测乳腺癌患者外周血肿瘤细胞
- Author:
Quan MA
;
Zhengyan WU
;
Wei ZHENG
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Breast cancer;
Melanoma associated antigen gene;
Nested RT-PCR;
mRNA
- From:
Journal of Medical Postgraduates
2003;0(03):-
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective: To detect tumor cells in the peripheral blood of patients with breast cancer by usingthe MAGE-A1 and MAGE-A3 genes as specific tumor markers. Methods: Peripheral blood was obtained from 40 patients with breast cancer and 20 patients with benign diseases. The mRNA of the MAGE-A1 and MAGE-A3 genes in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was detected by nested RT-PCR. The MAGE-A1 and MAGE-A3 transcripts in breast cancer were detected by RT-PCR. Results: Of the 40 breast cancer patients, MAGE-A1 and MAGE-A3 mRNA were positive in 12.5% (5/40)and 17.5%(7/40)of PBMC, respectively, and in 15.0 %(6/40)and 22.5 %(9/40)of breast cancer tissues, respectively. In the PBMC of the 40 breast cancer patients, 10(25.0%)samples were detected to express at least one type of MAGE mRNA. MAGE mRNA were not detected in the PBMC from the patients whose tumors did not express the MAGE genes, nor in the PBMC from the 20 patients with benign diseases. The positive rate of MAGE mRNA in the PBMC was closely correlated with the TNM stages. Conclusion: MAGE-A1 and MAGE-A3 mRNA could be specifically detected in the PBMCof breast cancer patients by our methods. They may be used as specific tumor markers for the detection of the circulating breast cancer cells.
