Quantification of Plasma DNA as a Tumor Marker in Patients with Pancreatic Cancer.
- Author:
Kwang Hyuck LEE
1
;
Won Jae YOON
;
Jun Kyu LEE
;
Ji Kon RYU
;
Yong Tae KIM
;
Yong Bum YOON
Author Information
1. Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Liver Research Institute, Seoul, Korea. yyb10604@plaza.snu.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article ; English Abstract
- Keywords:
Pancreatic neoplasms, Carcinoma;
Quantitative real-time PCR;
Plasma DNA
- MeSH:
Adult;
Aged;
DNA, Neoplasm/*blood;
Diagnosis, Differential;
Female;
Humans;
Male;
Middle Aged;
Pancreatic Neoplasms/*diagnosis;
Pancreatitis, Chronic/diagnosis;
Polymerase Chain Reaction;
Tumor Markers, Biological/*blood
- From:The Korean Journal of Gastroenterology
2005;46(3):226-232
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND/AIMS: The plasma DNA concentration of patients with cancer is known to be higher than normal controls. Increased DNA concentration and tumor-specific genes in plasma can be used as tumor markers in some cancers. This study was designed to evaluate whether quantification of plasma DNA concentration by using real-time PCR is useful as a tumor marker in the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. METHODS: Twenty-four patients (M:F=16:8, mean age; 60.5+/-11.5 years) with pancreatic cancer were recruited for this study. Fifteen patients with chronic pancreatitis and fifteen healthy persons were selected as controls (M:F=26:4, 53.5+/-11.2 years). The concentration of plasma DNA was determined by real-time PCR for telomerase reverse transcriptase gene. RESULTS: Plasma DNA concentration in patients with pancreatic cancer (46.4+/-63.2 ng/mL) was higher than that of chronic pancreatitis (p=0.041) and normal controls (p=0.030). The sensitivity and specificity in detecting pancreatic cancer were 75% and 70% respectively when the cut-off value of plasma DNA concentration was set at 46.9 ng/mL. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma DNA concentration in patients with pancreatic cancer was higher than that of controls. However, its sensitivity and specificity is not high enough to be used as a tumor marker for pancreatic cancer.
