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Updated: Aug 10, 2026
Detection and Isolation of Circulating Melanoma Cells using Photoacoustic Flowmetry
Published on: November 25, 2011
Detection of tumor-associated circulating mRNA in patients with disseminated malignant melanoma
G Rappl1, D O Hasselmann, M Rössler
1Department of Dermatology, The Saarland University Hospital, Homburg/Saar, Germany.
Abstract:
It has been suggested that extracellular mRNA might be released from tumor cells and might be protected from serum RNase by proteins or proteolipid complexes. Our group has recently assessed the potential value of extracellular RNA detection by RT-PCR in the peripheral blood of patients with metastatic melanoma.
Insights
Extracellular messenger RNA (mRNA) may originate from tumor cells and resist degradation. Researchers investigated the utility of detecting circulating RNA via reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in patients with metastatic melanoma.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Extracellular messenger RNA (mRNA) is hypothesized to be released by tumor cells.
- This circulating mRNA may be protected from degradation by serum ribonuclease (RNase) via protein or proteolipid complexes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the diagnostic potential of extracellular RNA detection.
- To assess the feasibility of using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for detecting circulating RNA in peripheral blood samples from patients with metastatic melanoma.
Main Methods:
- Peripheral blood samples were collected from patients diagnosed with metastatic melanoma.
- RNA was extracted from the peripheral blood.
- Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was employed to detect and potentially quantify extracellular RNA.
Main Results:
- The study assessed the technical feasibility of detecting extracellular RNA in patient blood samples.
- Preliminary data on the presence and characteristics of circulating RNA in metastatic melanoma patients were gathered.
Conclusions:
- Extracellular RNA detection in peripheral blood is a potential avenue for cancer research.
- Further investigation is warranted to establish the clinical utility of RT-PCR-based extracellular RNA detection in managing metastatic melanoma.
