Expression of molecular marker genes in various types of normal tissue: implication for detection of micrometastases

Many researchers have investigated the expressions of candidates for a suitable reverse transcription nested polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) marker. But typically biomarkers often have false-positive results. We assessed whether epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSM) could be detected in 28 different types of normal human sources. Using RT-nested PCR assay, EGFR mRNA was also detected in various types of normal tissue, including pancreas, prostate and uterus. CEA was detected in various types of normal tissue, including prostate, uterus, bladder and spleen. PSM mRNA was also detected in various types of normal tissue, including kidney, liver, skeletal muscle, spleen, bladder and ovary. We report here that the expression of these biomarkers in normal cells might have induced false-positives, and that further enhancement of sensitivity might compromise specificity. Conversely, these biomarkers can be utilized for attempts to define micrometastases in various types of tumors whose cells express these tissue-specific genes.