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In situ telomerase activity in pleural effusions: A promising marker for malignancy
Author(s) -
Dejmek Annika,
Yahata Naoyuki,
Ohyashiki Kazuma,
Ebihara Yoshiro,
Kakihana Masatoshi,
Hirano Takashi,
Kawate Norihiko,
Kato Harubumi
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
diagnostic cytopathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.417
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1097-0339
pISSN - 8755-1039
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0339(200101)24:1<11::aid-dc1001>3.0.co;2-a
Subject(s) - telomerase , malignancy , medicine , pathology , biology , biochemistry , gene
Telomerase activity in 16 pleural effusions was studied using an in situ telomerase repeat amplification protocol (TRAP) assay on cytospin preparations. Six of nine cytologically malignant specimens contained telomerase‐positive cells (67%), and in two further specimens, suspicious positive cells were seen. Two of four atypical specimens contained telomerase‐positive cells, whereas two benign cases were telomerase‐negative. No mesothelial cells showed telomerase reactivity. Thus, telomerase activity was specific for malignancy and it was always found only in malignant cells. The results suggest that telomerase activity measured with this in situ method can be a valuable complement in the assessment of malignancy in pleural effusions. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2001;24:11–15. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.