Detecting Cytokeratin 20 in Thyroid Carcinomas
Author Information
Author(s): Weber T, Lacroix J, Weitz J, Amnan K, Magener A, Hölting T, Klar E, Herfarth C, Doeberitz M von Knebel
Primary Institution: University of Heidelberg
Hypothesis
Can CK20 mRNA detection improve the diagnosis of thyroid carcinoma and identify circulating tumor cells?
Conclusion
CK20 mRNA can be detected in thyroid carcinomas and peripheral blood of thyroid cancer patients, but not in benign thyroid diseases.
Supporting Evidence
- CK20 mRNA was found in all medullary carcinomas tested.
- CK20 mRNA was undetectable in benign thyroid diseases.
- Circulating tumor cells were found in several patients with different types of thyroid carcinoma.
Takeaway
This study found a way to check for a specific marker in thyroid cancer that helps doctors know if someone has cancer and if cancer cells are in their blood.
Methodology
Nested reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect CK20 mRNA in tissue and blood samples.
Participant Demographics
Included patients with thyroid cancer, benign thyroid disorders, and healthy volunteers.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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