Efficacy of laser capture microdissection plus RT-PCR technique in analyzing gene expression levels in human gastric cancer and colon cancer
2008

Analyzing Gene Expression in Gastric and Colon Cancer

Sample size: 90 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Makino Hiroshi, Uetake Hiroyuki, Danenberg Kathleen, Danenberg Peter V, Sugihara Kenichi

Primary Institution: Tokyo Medical and Dental University

Hypothesis

Can laser capture microdissection plus RT-PCR accurately analyze gene expressions in cancer cells and stromal cells separately in gastric and colon cancers?

Conclusion

The LCM+RT-PCR method allows for accurate estimation of gene expressions in cancer cells and stromal cells from colon and gastric cancers.

Supporting Evidence

  • Thymidylate synthase and orotate phosphoribosyltransferase mRNA expressions were higher in cancer cells than in cancerous stroma.
  • Dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase mRNA expressions were lower in cancer cells than in cancerous stroma.
  • Thymidine phosphorylase mRNA showed varying expressions between cancer cells and stromal cells in gastric and colon cancers.

Takeaway

Researchers used a special technique to look at genes in cancer cells and the surrounding tissue separately, helping to understand how these genes work in stomach and colon cancers.

Methodology

Laser capture microdissection was used to isolate cancer cells and stromal cells from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded samples, followed by RT-PCR to quantify gene expressions.

Limitations

The study may not account for all variables affecting gene expression in different cancer types.

Participant Demographics

47 patients with gastric cancers and 43 with colorectal cancers.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p < 0.0001

Statistical Significance

p<0.0001

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1471-2407-8-210

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