Haematogenous cytokeratin 20 mRNA as a predictive marker for recurrence in oral cancer patients
1999
CK20 mRNA as a Marker for Oral Cancer Recurrence
Sample size: 12
publication
Evidence: moderate
Author Information
Author(s): Kawamata H, Uchida D, Nakashiro K, Hino S, Omotehara F, Yoshida H, Sato M
Primary Institution: Tokushima University School of Dentistry
Hypothesis
Can CK20 mRNA in blood predict recurrence in oral cancer patients?
Conclusion
CK20 mRNA can indicate tumor recurrence in oral cancer patients but not metastasis.
Supporting Evidence
- 11 out of 12 oral SCC patients showed positive RT-PCR results.
- All tumor-free survivors tested negative for CK20 mRNA after treatment.
Takeaway
Doctors can check a specific marker in the blood to see if oral cancer might come back, but it doesn't help with figuring out if it has spread.
Methodology
The study used reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to examine CK20 mRNA in the blood of oral SCC patients.
Limitations
The study did not find a clear relationship between CK20 mRNA and metastasis.
Participant Demographics
Patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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