Survivin messenger RNA expression is a good prognostic biomarker for oesophageal carcinoma
2002

Survivin mRNA as a Prognostic Biomarker for Oesophageal Cancer

Sample size: 57 publication Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Ikeguchi M, Kaibara N

Primary Institution: First Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University

Hypothesis

Is survivin mRNA expression a good prognostic biomarker for oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma?

Conclusion

Survivin mRNA expression is a reliable biomarker for identifying patients at high risk of cancer recurrence in oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Supporting Evidence

  • The survivin/GAPDH ratio in tumors was significantly higher than in non-cancerous tissues.
  • Patients with high survivin mRNA expression had a 5-year survival rate of only 14.1%, compared to 46.8% for those with low expression.
  • Survivin mRNA expression was identified as an independent risk factor for cancer recurrence.

Takeaway

This study found that measuring a specific molecule called survivin in cancer tissues can help doctors know which patients are more likely to have their cancer come back.

Methodology

Real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR) was used to analyze survivin mRNA levels in tumor and non-cancerous tissues.

Limitations

The study did not assess the impact of preoperative chemotherapy or radiation therapy on survivin expression.

Participant Demographics

The study included 57 patients, 54 men and 3 women, with a mean age of 65.2 years.

Statistical Information

P-Value

0.0003

Statistical Significance

p=0.0003

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1038/sj.bjc.6600546

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