[Combined detection of CEA mRNA and CK 19 mRNA in peripheral blood cells of patients with lung cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of CEA mRNA and CK(19) mRNA in peripheral blood cells of patients with lung cancer and evaluate its clinical significance. METHODS: Peripheral blood nucleated cells of 50 patients with lung cancer were studied by RT-PCR to detect the expression of CEA mRNA and CK(19) mRNA. RESULTS: The combined positive rate of CEA mRNA and CK(19) mRNA in patients with lung cancer (82.0%) was significantly higher than that in patients with benign lung diseases (28.0%) and healthy volunteers (8.1%) (P < 0.001). The expression rate had no relation to the clinical staging or histological type. Compared with single detection, combined detection increased the detection rate but did not decrease the specificity. CONCLUSION: Combined detection of CEA mRNA and CK(19) mRNA expression in peripheral blood nucleated cells increase the sensitivity of detecting hematogenous dissemination of cancer cells. Long-term survival analysis and more specimens would be helpful for evaluating its clinical significance.