SENSITIVE ASSAY FOR DETECTION OF HEPATOCELLULAR-CARCINOMA ASSOCIATED GENE-TRANSCRIPTION (ALPHA-FETOPROTEIN MESSENGER-RNA) IN BLOOD

The sensitivity of RT-PCR and nested RT-PCR for detection of circulati ng hepatocellular carcinoma was assessed by demonstrating the tumor ce ll-associated gene transcription, alpha-fetoprotein mRNA, in the nucle ar cells of peripheral blood. When HepG2 cells were mixed in blood, 10 0-1000 tumor cells/5ml of blood could be detected by RT-PCR, in contra st to 1-10 tumor cells/5ml of blood by nested RT-PCR. In addition, 2x1 0(4) copies of AFP mRNA were found in one HepG2 cell when analyzed by the quantitative nested RT-PCR assay. Thus, the nested RT-PCR assay co uld provide a useful tool for detecting a tiny amount of circulating t umor cells in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma presenting extra- hepatic metastasis. (C) 1995 Academic Press, Inc.