Detection of STAT3 mRNA and CEA mRNA in peritoneal washings for predicting peritoneal micrometastasis in patients with gastric carcinoma

Objective To compare detection of STAT3 and CEA by nest RT-PCR and peritoneal lavage cytology examination(PLC) in predicting peritoneal micrometastasis in gastric carcinoma patients. Methods Peritoneal washings of 66 patients with gastric carcinoma and 12 patients with benign gastric diseases were collected to detect the mRNA level of STAT3 and CEA by nest RT-PCR.PLC were carried out by H-E staining.Results The positive rates of STAT3 mRNA and CEA mRNA in peritoneal washings were 43.9% and 48.5%,respectively.The positive rates of STAT3 mRNA and CEA mRNA were significantly higher than those of PLC(31.8%).The positive rates of STAT3 mRNA and CEA mRNA were concurrently increased with the depth of tumor invasion,TNM staging and pathogenesis.Conclusion Detecting STAT3 mRNA in peritoneal washings by nest RT-PCR can improve the sensitivity of free tumor cell detection in peritoneal washings,and may be used to predict peritoneal micrometastasis of gastric carcinoma.