Telomerase activity in gastric cancer and premalignant lesions: determination and its clinical significance
Yang, S.; Fang, D.; Luo, Y.
Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi 78(3): 207-209
1998
ISSN/ISBN: 0376-2491 PMID: 10923532 Document Number: 491453
To evaluate the role of telomerase activity in the development and progression of gastric cancer (GC) and if knowedge of telomerase activity may be an indicator for the early diagnosis and poteneial treatment of GC. Using PCR-based TRAP (telomeric repeats amplification protocol) assay, we examined telomerase activity in 176 samples of gastric mucosa. Meanwhile, some tumor tissues were also analyzed by serial dilution. Telomerase activity detected in chronic atrophy gastritis (CAG), intestinal metaplasia (IM); dysplasia (Dys); and gastric cancer (GC) was 24.6% (14/57), 38.9% (7/18), 37.5% (3/8), and 92.3% (60/65) respectively; which was significantly higher than that in normal tissues (NT) (P < 0.01-0.05). Telomerase activity in group of GC was also significantly higher than that in group of CAG, IM and Dys (P < 0.01). Frequencye and levels of telomerase activity were not associated with patients' sex, tumor location, size gross type, depth of invasion, lymph node metastases, differentiation and clinical stage. Telomerase activity is detected not only in GC tissues, but also in some premalignant lesions or diseases.