Objective: To investigate the mRNA expression of oestrogen-regulated gene LIV-1 in human cervical carcinoma and endometrial carcinoma.
Methods: RT-PCR was performed to detect the expression of LIV-1 mRNA in 49 cervical carcinoma, 11 normal cervical tissue, 24 endometrial carcinoma and 5 normal endometrial specimens.
Results: The relative quantity of LIV-1 mRNA in normal cervical tissue, cervical carcinoma in situ and cervical carcinoma was 0.20-/+0.16, 0.31-/+0.13 and 0.40-/+0.15, respectively (P<0.05). No significant variation in LIV-1 mRNA expression was noted in relation to FIGO stages, histological differentiation, invasion depth and lymph node metastasis of the tumor (P>0.05), and LIV-1 mRNA level was similar between endometrial carcinoma and normal endometrial tissues (P>0.05).
Conclusion: LIV-1 mRNA upregulation seems to be tissue-specific, and LIV-1 can be associated with the progression of cervical squamous cell carcinoma progression but not with the development of endometrial carcinoma.