A novel chromatographic method for Ep-CAM mRNA detection in peripheral blood and bone marrow of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND The aim of our study was to detect Ep-CAM mRNA in peripheral blood (PB) and bone marrow (BM) samples of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer, using a novel chromatographic method (molecular strip) for the detection of PCR amplified product and to confirm the results by the standard method of agarose gel electrophoresis. PATIENTS AND METHODS Thirty patients participated in the present study providing 27 PB and 26 BM samples. PB samples were also obtained from 20 healthy volunteers. PCR products were detected using the molecular strip and the results were confirmed by 1.5% agarose gel electrophoresis. RESULTS In total 26 out of 27 blood samples (96%) and 19 out of 26 bone marrow samples (73%) were found positive for Ep-CAM expression using both methods, whereas none of the 20 healthy controls was found positive for the above marker. CONCLUSION Ep-CAM mRNA is highly expressive in peripheral blood of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. Its prognostic significance should be evaluated in patients with resectable carcinomas. The new strip detection method is highly specific for the PCR product under investigation, reliable, easy to handle, fast and safe for the user.