The diagnostic value of telomerase activity in differentiating benign and malignant ascitic fluid

Objective To investigate the changes of telomerase activity in benign and malignant ascites fluid. Methods The technique of telomerase TRAP-PCR-ELISA was employed to detect telomerase activity in ascites cells from 60 patients with benign or malignant ascites fluid,the cytological diagnosis and total tumor marks(carcinoembryonic antigen, et al.)were compared. Results Telomerase activity in malignant ascites fluid was significantly higher than that in benign group. Positive rate of telomerase activity detected in malignant ascites(90%)was remarkably higher than those in benign group(10%);Compared with the cytological diagnosis and total tumor marks(carcinoembryonic antigen, et al.),telomere ferment test had higher sensitivity(90%),specificity(100%)and stability. Conclusion Telomerase activity may be an useful and sensitive mark in differential diagnosis of benign and malignant ascites fluid.