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Lung Cancer pp 335–352Cite as

Detection of Small Cell Lung Cancer by RT-PCR for Neuropeptides, Neuropeptide Receptors, or a Splice Variant of the Neuron Restrictive Silencer Factor

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Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Medicine™ ((MIMM,volume 75))

Abstract

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) comprises a significant fraction of all lung cancers; it is most frequent in women, where it represents up to 25% (1). It is characterized by neuroendocrine differentiation, with immunohistochemistry for certain neuroepithelial markers used in diagnosis to differentiate SCLC from other types of lung cancer. We have evaluated the use of reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for selected neuroendocrine markers as a way to specifically detect SCLC cells in (1) surgical, postmortem or bronchoscopic biopsies and (2) the peripheral blood or lymph node aspirates from SCLC patients. Products are detected either directly by ethidium bromide staining of agarose gels or, with enhanced sensitivity, by transfer to a membrane followed by hybridization with a specific radiolabeled probe.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Physiology and Human Anatomy, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK

    Judy M. Coulson & John P. Quinn

  2. Department of Medical Oncology, Weston Park Hospital, Sheffield, UK

    Samreen I. Ahmed

  3. Department of Cell Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK

    John P. Quinn

  4. FRCP Department of Clinical Oncology, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK

    Penella J. Woll

Authors
  1. Judy M. Coulson
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  2. Samreen I. Ahmed
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  3. John P. Quinn
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  4. Penella J. Woll
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Children#x2019;s Hospital, Los Angeles, CA

    Barbara Driscoll phd

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© 2003 Humana Press Inc., Totowa, NJ

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Coulson, J.M., Ahmed, S.I., Quinn, J.P., Woll, P.J. (2003). Detection of Small Cell Lung Cancer by RT-PCR for Neuropeptides, Neuropeptide Receptors, or a Splice Variant of the Neuron Restrictive Silencer Factor. In: Driscoll, B. (eds) Lung Cancer. Methods in Molecular Medicine™, vol 75. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-324-0:335

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-324-0:335

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, Totowa, NJ

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-89603-920-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-59259-324-8

  • eBook Packages: Springer Protocols

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