Detection of hepatoma cells in peripheral blood of HCC patients by nested RT-PCR*

AIM:To offer a more simple method with a high sensitivity and specificity for detection of hepatoma cells in peripheral blood of the patients with HCC.METHODS:Improved nested RT-PCR method was used to detect the expression of AFP mRNA in nuclear cells separated from peripheral venous blood.RESULTS:AFP mRNA contained in tenhepatoma cells was detected from 2mL peripheral blood.CONCLUSION:The improved nested RT-PCR assay for AFP mRNA expressed in cancer cells in peripheral blood might be a valuable method for clinical diagnosis of HCC.