Metallothionein and Oesophageal Cancer
Author Information
Author(s): Hishikawa Y, Koji T, Dhar D K, Kinugasa S, Yamaguchi M, Nagasue N
Primary Institution: Shimane Medical University
Hypothesis
Does metallothionein expression affect the prognosis and metastatic potential of squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus?
Conclusion
Metallothionein expression may be a potential marker for predicting metastatic and proliferative activities in oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma.
Supporting Evidence
- MT mRNA expression was significantly associated with lymph node metastasis.
- MT mRNA-positive tumours had a higher rate of distant metastasis compared to MT mRNA-negative tumours.
- Patients with MT protein-negative tumours had a better survival rate than those with MT protein-positive tumours.
- There was a positive correlation between MT protein expression and proliferating cell nuclear antigen.
Takeaway
This study found that a protein called metallothionein can help predict how aggressive oesophageal cancer might be.
Methodology
The study analyzed metallothionein mRNA and protein expressions in paraffin-embedded specimens from patients using in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry.
Statistical Information
P-Value
P = 0.0343, P = 0.0452, P = 0.0446, P = 0.0340, P = 0.0018
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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