Use of RT-PCR for CK20 and CEA mRNA to Detect of Micrometastasis in the Draining Venous Blood and the Peritoneum in Gastric Cancer Patients

위암에서 CK20과 CEA의 RT-PCR을 이용한 수술조작 전후 유출 정맥과 복막에서의 미세전이의 검출

Purpose: The benefits of the 'no-touch' isolation techniquethat is usually performed to prevent the circulation of tumor cells are not evident. The aim of this study was to determine whether the no-touch isolation technique for treating gastrointestinal cancers could prevent the circulation of tumor cells detected by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Matrials and Methods: By using RT-PCR to amplify mRNAs for two specific epithelial markers, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and cytokeratin 20 (CK-20), we examined 34 gastric cancer patients who had been histologically diagnosed and 22 patients had undergone serosal and peritoneal brushing. Results: In 10 ($29.4\%$) of the 34 gastric cancer patients, we detected CK20 mRNA before manipulation, and in 17 ($51.5\%$) of those patients, after we detected it. The density of the CK20 mRNA band was increased in 11 cases ($33.3\%$) and the density was decreased in 2 cases ($6.1\%$). In 16 ($48.5\%$) of the 34 gastric cancer patients, we detected CEA mRNA before manipulation, and in 17 ($51.5\%$) patients after we detected it. The density of the CEA mRNA band was increased in 8 cases ($24.2\%$) and decreased in 3 cases ($9.1\%$). Conclusion: These result suggest that the ' no-touch isolation technique ' might be useful when operating on advanced gastric cancer patients and that serosal or Douglas pouch brushing can be used to determine the status of micrometastasis.