Expression of CD44v6 gene in normal human peripheral blood.

AimTo investigate if CD44v6 could be used as a molecular marker of cancer progression and metastasis through the detection of CD44v6 gene expression in normal human peripheral blood.MethodsRNA was extracted from the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 50 healthy donors, the expression of CD44v6 was investigated using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).ResultsCD44v6 mRNA was detected in 58% of healthy volunteers under the proper controls.ConclusionOur results suggest that the measurement of CD44v6 expression in peripheral blood by RT-PCR is not suitable for detection of circulating tumor cells.