Multiplex RT-PCR-based detections of CEA, CK20 and EGFR in colorectal cancer patients

Table 3 Correlation of the number of multiplex reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction positive detections in each blood sample with disease stage in colorectal cancer patients n (%)

CRC patients (n = 88)	No. of positive marker detections in each blood sample
	0	1	2	3
Stage A (n = 4)	1 (25)	2 (50)	1 (25)	0 (0)
Stage B (n = 26)	3 (11.5)	5 (19.2)	16 (61.5)	2 (7.7)
B1 (n = 9)	1 (11.1)	1 (11.1)	7 (77.7)	0 (0)
B2 (n = 17)	2 (11.8)	4 (23.5)	9 (52.9)	2 (11.8)
Stage C (n = 27)	0 (0)	6 (22.2)	17 (63)	4 (14.8)
C1 (n = 5)	0 (0)	1 (20)	3 (60)	1 (20)
C2 (n = 22)	0 (0)	5 (22.7)	14 (63.6)	3 (13.6)
Stage D (n = 31)	0 (0)	2 (6.5)	18 (58.1)	11 (35.5)

Disease staging according to the modified Astler-Coller classification. A positive correlation was revealed using Spearman’s test (Spearman’s ρ = 0.396, P < 0.001). CRC: Colorectal cancer.