DIFFERENTIAL EXPRESSION OF THE CCK-A AND CCK-B GASTRIN RECEPTOR GENESIN HUMAN CANCERS OF THE ESOPHAGUS, STOMACH AND COLON/

The expression of cholecystokinin (CCK) and gastrin (G) receptors in h uman gastrointestinal cancers remains poorly documented and is still o f a controversial nature. We have measured the levels of mRNA for CCK- A and CCK-B/gastrin receptors using quantitative reverse transcription -polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in primary digestive cancers and h epatic metastases. CCK-A-receptor mRNA was detected in 5 out of 8 esop hageal cancers (0.1-1 fg/mu g), in 5 out of 8 gastric cancers (0.05-4. 2 fg/mu g) and in 5 out of 12 colon cancers (0.1-1 fg/mu g RNA). CCK-B /gastrin mRNA was not detected in esophageal cancers but was detected in 7 out of 8 gastric cancers (0.05-5.2 fg/mu g), and in only 2 out of 12 colon adenocarcinomas (0.05-1 fg/mu g RNA). The expression of the CCK-A receptor in esophageal, gastric and colon cancers and of the CCK -B/gastrin receptor in the majority of gastric adenocarcinomas screene d may be an important indicator of the influence of CCK and gastrin of local or systemic origin on the growth of these cancers. (C) 1997 Wil ey-Liss, Inc.