Abstract:
Objective:To detect the abnormal expression of WWOX (WW domain containing oxidoreduc -tase) exons 6-8 at mRNA level in human benign and malignant pleural effusion and to investigate the role of loss of WWOX exons 6-8 in the development of malignant pleural effusion. Methods:Deletion of WWOX ex -ons 6-8 mRNA transcript was analyzed by reverse transcriptase-PCR technology.Results: Of the 56malig-nant pleural effusion samples, 39showed loss of WWOX exons 6-8 mRNA transcript (69.6% ). This deletion was not detected in the 20benign pleural effusion samples. Conclusion:WWOX gene may play an important role in the develepment of malignant pleural effusion, Detection of WWOX exons 6-8 mRNA may serve as a candidate molecular target for treatment of malignant pleural effusion and can be a promising index in differen -tial diagnosis of benign and malignant pleural effusion.