Clinical significance of CD44v mRNA detection by PCR in peripheral blood of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM: To study the clinical significance of detecting the expression of CD44v mRNA in the blood of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).METHODS: The expression of CD44v mRNA was detected in blood with RT and diploid PCR, and the clinical significance was discussed based on the result of pathological examination and follow-up.RESULTS: CD44v mRNA was detected in the blood of 10/15 patients, giving a positive rate of 66.67%. In the 13 patients who showed response in the follow up period, the CD44v mRNA expression was positive in 9 and negative in 4. Recurrence rate was higher in the patients with positive CD44v mRNA expression than in those with negative CD44v mRNA expression, and the clinical pathological indices were also higher in the former than in the latter.CONCLUSION: Detection of the expression level of CD44v mRNA in blood of the patients with HCC can be used as an adjuvant means for differential diagnosis, prediction and monitoring of HCC recurrence.