Midkine (MK) is a growth factor identified as a product of a retinoic acid-responsive gene. A truncated form of MK mRNA, which lacks a sequence encoding the N-terminally located domain, was recently found in cancer cells. We investigated the expression of the truncated MK mRNA in specimens of 47 surgically removed human gastrointestinal organs using polymerase chain reaction. Truncated MK was not detected in all of the 46 corresponding non-cancerous regions. On the other hand, this short MK mRNA was expressed in the primary tumours in 12 of 16 gastric cancers, 8 of 13 colorectal carcinomas, five of nine hepatocellular carcinomas, two of two oesophageal carcinomas and one ampullary duodenal cancer. In addition, truncated MK was detectable in all of the 14 lymph node metastases but in none of three metastatic sites in the liver, suggesting that truncated MK mRNA could become a good marker of nodal metastases in gastrointestinal tract.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2063076PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/bjc.1998.517DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

nodal metastases
8
metastases gastrointestinal
8
truncated mrna
8
truncated
6
truncated midkine
4
midkine marker
4
marker diagnosis
4
diagnosis detection
4
detection nodal
4
carcinomas
4

Similar Publications

Introduction: Functioning neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) that do not respond to standard therapies are commonly considered for Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy (PRRT). The benefit of Lu-DOTATATE PRRT in patients with progressive metastatic NET was analyzed and survival in multi-organ involvement.

Methods: Forty-one patients with refractory, progressive, or advanced symptomatic NETs, with or without previous treatment modalities were studied.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objective: The presence of the microcystic elongated and fragmented (MELF) pattern, distinguished by its microcystic, elongated and fragmented attributes, constitutes a common manifestation of myometrial invasion (MI) within endometrial carcinoma. However, the prognostic significance of this pattern has not been definitively established. Consequently, this research aimed to clarify the prognostic implications of the MELF pattern for individuals diagnosed with endometrial carcinoma.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objectives: The aim of this prospective study was to assess the association between methylene blue staining pattern and the presence of histologic nodal metastasis in dogs with low-grade mast cell tumour in low-resource settings for the efficient diagnosis of lymphatic spread.

Methods: Dogs with a single, cytologically low-grade mast cell tumour and no documented distant metastases were prospectively included and underwent surgery. Along with primary mast cell tumour removal, intraoperative sentinel lymph node mapping with peritumoral mast cell tumour injection and regional lymph node excision, regardless of whether blue dye was visible in the lymph node, were performed.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background & Objective: Determination of axillary lymph-node status plays a pivotal role in decision making for breast cancer treatment. Biopsy is the current standard of care but hold risks of complications as well. We aimed to find out the correlation of sonographic features of lymph node and histo-pathological findings, to predict axillary lymph-node metastasis in breast cancer patients.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: The presence of level IV/V metastasis is a significant prognostic factor for patients with oral and oropharyngeal cancer, while level IV lymphadenopathy defines the N3 stage in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. However, the current staging system for hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HPSCC) does not consider the location of involved nodes.

Objectives: To evaluate the risk factors and prognostic impact of level IV/V metastasis in patients with HPSCC.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!