PTCH gene expression as a potential marker for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Ishiyama, A.; Hibi, K.; Koike, M.; Fujiwara, M.; Kodera, Y.; Ito, K.; Nakao, A.
Anticancer Research 26(1a): 195-198
2006
ISSN/ISBN: 0250-7005 PMID: 16475698 Document Number: 602199
Background: The PTCH expression level in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) was examined. Materials and Methods: To test whether PTCH can serve as a candidate marker for esophageal SCC, a quantitative reverse transcription (RT)-PCR for the PTCH gene was performed and the possible relationship between PTCH gene expression levels and clinicopathological findings in esophageal SCC was evaluated. Results: A low PTCH expression score was observed in 18 out of 29 (62%) esophageal SCCs and it was significantly correlated with a poor prognosis in esophageal SCC patients (p = 0.0073). Conclusion: These results suggest that PTCH might serve as a new parameter for the prediction of prognosis in esophageal SCC.