Brief Article
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World J Gastroenterol. Apr 21, 2013; 19(15): 2412-2418
Published online Apr 21, 2013. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i15.2412
Elevated serum levels of human relaxin-2 in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Peng Ren, Zhen-Tao Yu, Li Xiu, Mei Wang, Hua-Min Liu
Peng Ren, Zhen-Tao Yu, Li Xiu, Mei Wang, Hua-Min Liu, Department of Esophageal Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital and Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin 300060, China
Author contributions: Ren P and Liu HM performed the majority of experiments; Yu ZT and Wang M collected all the human materials; Yu ZT designed the study and wrote the manuscript; Ren P and Xiu L revised the manuscript.
Correspondence to: Zhen-Tao Yu, MD, Department of Esophageal Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital and Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Huanhu West Road, Tianjin 300060, China. renpengtj@126.com
Telephone: +86-22-23340123 Fax: +86-22-23340123
Received: December 29, 2012
Revised: February 2, 2013
Accepted: February 28, 2013
Published online: April 21, 2013
Core Tip

Core tip: Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is one of the most aggressive carcinomas of the gastrointestinal tract. Despite improvements in detection, surgical resection, and (neo-) adjuvant therapy, the overall survival of ESCC patients remains lower than that of patients with other solid tumors due to distant metastasis. Therefore, it is important to detect disease progression and metastasis as early as possible to improve timely treatment and improve survival. In this study, the authors assessed the prognostic value of serum human relaxin 2 (H2 RLN) level in patients with ESCC, and found that serum concentrations of H2 RLN were elevated in ESCC patients and were correlated with disease metastasis and survival. Serum concentrations of H2 RLN may be an important prognostic marker in ESCC patients.