前立腺癌における微小癌転移の遺伝子診断の現状

概要

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RT-PCR法は前立腺癌のリンパ節転移及び骨転移のより正確な評価を可能にし,臨床的局在性前立腺癌の病理学的病期の術前予測を可能にする.更に,RT-PCR法は前立腺癌の予後因子となりうるWe summarized and reviewed published reports, including our studies, on the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) detection of micrometastatic prostate cancer cells in lymph nodes, bone marrow and peripheral blood. Some published data preliminarily suggest that the RT-PCR assay of micrometastatic prostate cancer cells may allow a more accurate assessment of lymph node and bone metastases of prostate cancer, and offer a presurgical prediction of the pathological stage of clinically localized disease. In addition, the RT-PCR assay may have a unique prognostic value in prostate cancer. However, controversy remains over the clinical significance of the RT-PCR assay. This assay could potentially develop into a diagnostic procedure for the clinical decision making in patients with prostate cancer. To establish the clinical significance of the RT-PCR assay, further optimized and standardized RT-PCR assay studies are needed, investigating large populations and involving long-term follow-up for the determination of any association between the results of the RT-PCR assay and specific clinical outcome.