Molecular detection and prognostic value of epithelial markers mRNA expression in peripheral blood of advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients.

Abstract

Few studies, have evaluated the prognostic impact of the quantification of mRNA expression levels in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The aim of this work was to quantify mRNA expression levels in peripheral blood through three epithelial markers in patients with stages IIIB and IV in NSCLC. Seventy advanced NSCLC patients and ten healthy controls were included. All patients received platinum-based chemotherapy in first line treatment. Peripheral blood was obtained of each participant and mRNA expression levels present in circulating cells were quantified by molecular techniques (RT-PCR) using three epithelial markers: cytokeratin (CK)-18, CK-19 and Carcinoembryonic-Antigen (CEA). The expression levels were quantified from a standard curve using the cDNA obtained from A549 cells. Registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01052818). We found a significant statistical correlation between levels of CK-18, CK-19 and CEA mRNA. mRNA expression levels were lower in patients who present three or less metastasis; higher CEA mRNA expression was associated a worse progression-free survival to platinum-based chemotherapy and overall survival. RNA expression of CEA by RT-PCR is useful as a prognostic marker in advanced NSCLC.