The expression of matrix metalloproteinase 9 and cathepsin B in gastric carcinoma is associated with lymph node metastasis, but not with postoperative survival

Degradation components of basement membrane could be crucial for tumor invasion. A key role in this process has been assigned to cysteine proteases, i.e. cathepsins and matrix metalloproteinases. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship of the expression of MMP-9 and cathepsin B with tumor aggressiveness expressed by lymph node metastases and survival rates in gastric carcinoma patients. Slides of 5 mum-thick serial sections from 91 patients with primary gastric carcinoma were prepared and analyzed for MMP-9 and cathepsin B expression using anti-human monoclonal antibody (NCL-MMP-9 clone; dilution 1:40 and NCL-CATH-B clone; dilution 1:40). The patients were clinically monitored for 84 months. We found no association between the expression of MMP-9 and cathepsin B in main mass of tumor and patients' gender, tumor location, Lauren's classification or histological differentiation. Also no correlation was observed between the expression of MMP-9 in main mass of tumor and depth of invasion. A strong statistically significant association was found between the expression of MMP-9 and cathepsin B in main mass of tumor and lymph node involvement (p<0.001; p<0.001, respectively). However, we observed no correlation between the expression of MMP-9 and cathepsin B in main mass of tumor and lymph node involvement or 5-year overall survival. Our results may suggest that the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and cathepsin B is correlated with lymph node metastasis in advanced gastric carcinoma, but not with patients' postoperative survival.     

Immunohystochemical expression of cancer/testis antigens (MAGE-A3/4, NY-ESO-1) in non-small cell lung cancer: the relationship with clinical-pathological features

The aim of this study was to explore the expression of cancer/testis tumor associated antigens (C/T TAAs) MAGE-A 3/4 and NY-ESO-1 in lung squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma, and to evaluate their association with the standard clinical-pathological features of surgically treated lung cancer patients. The study included 80 patients with non-small cell lung cancer (40 adenocarcinomas, 40 squamous cell carcinomas) who had undergone surgery in the period between 2002 and 2005. The MAGE-A3/4 and NY-ESO-1 antigen expression was analyzed immunohistochemically (IHC). The results showed MAGE-A3/4 and NY-ESO-1 positive staining in 65.1% and 23.3% of squamous cell carcinomas and 18.9% and 10.8% of adenocarcinomas, respectively. A statistically higher MAGE-A3/4 expression was observed in planocellular bronchial carcinoma (p < 0.001), while no difference was found in the expression of NY-ESO-1 in adenocarcinoma and planocellular carcinoma (p = 0.144). A significant association was found between the MAGE-A3/4 expression and presence of tumor necrosis in squamous cell cancer specimens (p = 0.001), but not in adenocarcinoma (p = 0.033). A statistically significant association was noted between the NY-ESO-1 expression and positive hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes in adenocarcinoma (p = 0.025) whereas it was not the case in squamous cell carcinoma. Non-small cell lung cancer frequently expresses cancer/testis tumor associated antigens. Our results demonstrate that the MAGE-A3/4 and NY-ESO-1 expression was significant associated with prognostic factors of poor outcome of disease (presence of tumor necrosis and lymph node metastasis). As C/T antigens are important for inducing a specific immune reaction in lung cancer patients, there is an intention to form a subgroup of patients in the future, whose treatment would be enhanced by specific immunotherapy based on the observed scientific results.     

Association between HSP90 and Her2 in Gastric and Gastroesophageal Carcinomas

Background

Her2 expression and amplification occurs in a significant subset of gastro-esophageal carcinomas. Her2 is a client protein of molecular chaperones, e.g. heat shock protein (HSP) 90, rendering targeted therapies against Her2/HSP90 an interesting approach. This study aimed to investigate the role and relationship of Her2 and HSP90 in gastric and gastro-esophageal adenocarcinomas.

Material and Methods

Immunohistochemical determination of HSP90 and Her2 expression was performed on 347 primary resected tumors. Her2 amplification was additionally determined by fluorescence in situ hybridization for all cases. Expression and amplification results were correlated with pathologic parameters (UICC pTNM category, tumor grading) and survival.

Results

Elevated Her2 copy numbers were observed in 87 tumors, 21 of them showing amplification. 174 tumors showed Her2 immunoreactivity/expression. HSP 90 immunoreactivity was found in 125 tumors. There was no difference between gastric carcinomas and carcinomas of the gastroesophageal junction regarding Her2 or HSP90. Both high HSP90 and Her2 expression/amplification were associated with earlier tumor stages (p<0.01), absence of lymph node metastases (p<0.02) and Laurens intestinal type (p<0.001). HSP90 correlated with Her2 expression and amplification (p<0.001 each). Expressions of HSP90 and Her2, but not Her2 amplification were associated with better prognosis (p=0.02; p=0.004; p=0.802). Moreover, Her2 expression was an independent prognostic factor for overall survival in the subgroup of gastric carcinoma patients (p=0.014) besides pT category, pN category and distant metastases.

Conclusion

Her2 expression and gene amplification occurred in a significant subset of cases. Our results suggest a favorable prognostic impact of Her2 expression. This warrants further investigations regarding the significance of Her2 non-amplified tumors showing Her2 immunoreactivity and the definition of Her2 status in gastric cancers. Moreover, the correlation of Her2 expression with the expression of Her2 chaperoning HSP90 may indicate a synergistic regulation. Targeting HSP90 with or without Her2 may offer additional therapeutic options for gastric carcinoma treatment.     

Overexpression of ZEB1 associated with metastasis and invasion in patients with gastric carcinoma

The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of ZEB1 in gastric carcinoma, its correlation with the clinicopathology of gastric carcinoma, and the role of ZEB1 in invasion and metastasis in gastric carcinoma. ZEB1 expression was analyzed by immunohistochemistry and Western blot in 45 gastric carcinoma tissue samples that contained the adjacent gastric mucosa. The correlation between ZEB1 expression, the occurrence and development of gastric cancer, and clinical pathology was investigated. ZEB1 expression in the human gastric carcinoma cell line AGS was downregulated by RNA interference, and changes in ZEB1 expression corresponded with changes in the invasive and metastatic ability of AGS cells. Immunohistochemistry revealed that ZEB1 protein expression in gastric carcinoma tissues was significantly higher than in normal gastric mucosa tissues (p < 0.001). A lower degree of differentiation of gastric cancer (p = 0.009), a higher TNM (tumor, node, and metastasis) stage (p = 0.010), and a larger scope of invasion were correlated with higher expression of ZEB1 (p = 0.041, 0.002). However, the expression of ZEB1 in gastric carcinoma tissue was independent of gender, age, and tumor size (p > 0.05). Western blot results also showed that ZEB1 protein expression was significantly higher in gastric carcinoma tissue than in the adjacent normal gastric mucosa tissue (p = 0.008). A lower degree of differentiation of the gastric carcinoma correlated with a higher TNM stage, and a larger scope of invasion correlated with increased ZEB1 expression (p = 0.023). Transfection of ZEB1 siRNA in AGS cells significantly decreased the expression level of ZEB1 protein (p = 0.035). Furthermore, the number of cells that could pass through the Transwell chamber was significantly lower in the transfected group than in the non-transfected control group (p = 0.039), indicating that the suppression of ZEB1 expression could significantly reduce the invasive and metastatic ability of AGS cells (p = 0.005). Concluding, in gastric carcinoma tissue, overexpression of ZEB1 may be related to the occurrence and development as well as invasion and metastasis of gastric carcinoma.     

c‐erbB‐2 and p53 expression in breast cancer fine needle aspirates

The aim of this study was to co‐evaluate c‐ erbB ‐2 and p53 protein expression in breast cancer fine needle aspirates (FNA) and to compare this with histological variables and the immunohistochemical phenotype of the tumours. Furthermore, we assessed the relationship of c‐ erbB ‐2 and p53 immunocytochemical expression to tumour prognostic factors. We examined 124 breast cancer FNAs and 79 matched surgical specimens using the avidin–biotin complex (ABC) and the alkaline phosphatase immunocytochemical techniques. C‐ erbB ‐2 immunopositivity was detected in 37.9% of the FNAs, while 31.7% were positive for p53. A statistically significant correlation was observed between p53 negativity and absence of c‐ erbB ‐2 immunostaining in the FNAs ( P =0.0007). Smears from infiltrating ductal carcinomas tended to be more frequently positive for p53 (36.7%) than those from lobular carcinomas (11.7%) ( P =0.054). In matched tumour tissues, c‐ erbB ‐2 was positive in 16.7% and p53 in 19% of cases. The immunocytochemical results for both c‐ erbB ‐2 and p53 were significantly correlated with the immunohistochemical results. There was no correlation between c‐ erbB ‐2 and p53 immunostaining, in both FNAs and tissues, and patients' menopausal status, tumour size, grade and lymph node status.     

胃癌组织中HER2 基因及p53蛋白表达及其临床意义

目的:研究胃癌组织中HER2基因及P53蛋白表达情况,分析其对临床诊疗的意义与价值。方法:选取2013年7月到2015年7月我院确诊的胃癌患者110例,检测患者胃癌组织中的HER2蛋白表达与基因扩增,及P53蛋白的表达情况,分析HER2基因扩增与P53蛋白表达与病理关系间的关系。结果:HER2基因扩增率为17.3%(19/110),HER2蛋白表达率为42.7%(47/110),P53蛋白表达率为58.2%(64/110),其中HER2蛋白表达3+、2+者HER2基因的扩增比例分别为3/4、6/9与1+表达者的3/16比较具有统计学意义(P0.05);HER2基因扩增和P53蛋白表达与胃癌淋巴结转移以及浸润程度有关(P0.05);相关性分析显示:HER2基因扩增与P53蛋白表达具有正相关关系(P0.05)。结论:胃癌组织中HER2基因扩增和P53蛋白协同表达,促进胃癌浸润和淋巴结转移,对胃癌早期诊断具有重要参考价值。     

肝癌组织中miR-338-3p的表达及与临床病理参数的关系

目的:探讨肝癌组织中微小RNA-338-3p(miR-338-3p)的表达及与临床病理参数的关系。方法:选取2015年1月至2016年6月我院手术获得的67例肝癌组织标本,同时每例标本均取癌旁正常组织标本作为配对对照,采用实时定量逆转录聚合酶链反应(RT-qPCR)对两组组织标本中的miR-338-3p进行检测,并分析其与肝癌临床病理特征的关系。结果:45例(67.16%)miR-338-3p表达下调,22例(32.85%)表达上调;RT-qPCR结果显示,肝癌组织中miR-338-3p的相对含量为(0.76±0.38),低于癌旁正常组织中的(1.23±0.45),差异有统计学意义(t=-6.259,P=0.000)。miR-338-3p在低分化、TNM分期Ⅲ+Ⅳ期、肿瘤浸润深度T3+T4期、有淋巴结转移肝癌患者肝癌组织中的表达下调率高于中高分化、Ⅰ+Ⅱ期、T1+T2期、无淋巴结转移肝癌患者,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。不同性别、年龄、病理类型、肿瘤大小肝癌患者肝癌组织中miR-338-3p表达下调率差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:miR-338-3P在肝癌组织中呈低表达水平,与分化程度、TNM分期、肿瘤浸润深度、淋巴结转移有关,可能参与了肝癌的发生发展过程,早期检测可作为评估肝癌病情的指标。     

Expression of Mina53 and its significance in gastric carcinoma

AIM: To study the expression of Mina53 and its relationships with clinicopathological characteristics, antioncogene inactivation and tumor proliferation in human gastric carcinoma, and to explore the role of Mina53 in carcinogenesis and tumor progression. METHODS: Expression of Mina53 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) was determined in gastric carcinoma (n=79), gastric dysplasia (n=21) and normal gastric tissues (n=20), while p53 was measured in gastric carcinoma tissues by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Mina53 was negatively expressed in all normal mucosa tissues. Dysplasia specimens showed weakly positive staining for Mina53 in 3 of 21 cases. Elevated expression of Mina53 was observed in 72 (91.1%) of the gastric carcinomas. No significant associations were found between Mina53 and clinicopathological characteristics such as sex, age, histological differentiation, distant metastasis and lymph node metastasis (p>0.05). There was a significant association with depth of invasion (X2=5.385, p<0.05) and TMN stage (X2=6.255, p<0.05). In gastric carcinoma, positive staining for p53 was detected in 53 of 79 cases (67.1%), showing a significant association with Mina53 (X2=5.161, p<0.05). The mean (+/- SD) PCNA labeling index for gastric carcinoma was 39.47+/-16.92%. Mina53 expression was positively associated with PCNA level (r=0.756, p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Mina53 was overexpressed in gastric carcinoma and associated with tumor proliferation and antioncogene inactivation. Mina53 could therefore play an important role in the carcinogenesis and progression of gastric carcinoma.     

Expression of Caspase-3 and -7 Does Not Correlate with the Extent of Apoptosis in Primary Breast Carcinomas

Association between the rate of apoptosis and expression of the several relevant molecules (Bcl-2, pro- and active caspase-3, and caspase-7) was studied in 61 primary breast carcinomas. The rate of apoptosis detected both morphologically and by the TUNEL assay appeared to be high in 18 (30%), moderate in 14 (23%), and low in 29 (48%) carcinomas. High apoptotic index was strongly associated with advanced tumor grade and estrogen receptor positive (ER+) status but not with other investigated clinical or morphological parameters. Among the molecules studied, only the Bcl-2 protein expression demonstrated strong (inverse) correlation with the apoptotic index (p = 0.032). The data of this expected correlation was served as internal control in the study. Interestingly, high levels of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 was frequently co-incident with increased expression of pro-apoptotic molecules, such as active caspase-3 (p = 0.004) and caspase-7 (p = 0.001). However, expression of caspase-3 or caspase-7 did not show correlation with the extent of apoptosis or any clinico-morphological features, except overrepresentation of ER+ status in tumors expressing caspase-3 (p = 0.009). Thus, these findings indicate a general dysregulation of spontaneous apoptosis in primary breast tumors.

Key Words:

Caspase-3, Caspase-7, Bcl-2, Breast carcinoma     

Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in the progression of cervical neoplasia and its relation to angiogenesis and p53 status

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in the successive steps of cervical neoplasia and to determine its correlation with angiogenesis and p53 status. STUDY DESIGN: Immunohistochemical staining with a VEGF monoclonal antibody was performed on a total of 161 cervical specimens representing 12 normal epithelium, 33 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 1, 30 CIN 3 and 86 squamous cell carcinomas. Microvessels were immunohistochemically labeled with an antibody to CD34. Computerized image analysis was used to evaluate microvessel density (MVD). p53 Status was determined by immunohistochemistry and direct sequencing of exons 5-8 of the p53 gene. RESULTS: VEGF expression progressively increased along the continuum from normal epithelium to squamous cell carcinoma (P < .05). MVD increased significantly with cervical neoplasia progression, from normal epithelium, through CIN, to squamous cell carcinoma (P < .001). A strong correlation was observed between VEGF expression and MVD (P < .001). p53 Protein expression was not detected in the normal epithelium or in CIN 1, while 3 (10%) of 30 CIN 3 and 28 (33%) of 86 squamous cell carcinomas were positive for p53. VEGF expression correlated statistically with p53 protein expression (P < .001). In double VEGF- and p53-stained sections, the 2 markers were generally expressed in the same tumor cells. Of the 4 p53 gene mutations, 3 exhibited strong VEGF expression, and 1 exhibited moderate VEGF expression. VEGF expression did not correlate significantly with outcome variables in patients with squamous cell carcinoma. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that VEGF expression is involved in the promotion of angiogenesis in cervical neoplasia and that p53 is likely to be involved in the regulation of VEGF expression.     

MAGE-A3/4 and NY-ESO-1 antigens expression in metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

In the present study we analyzed immunohistochemical expression of MAGE-A 3/4 and NY-ESO-1 in 55 samples of esophageal squamous cell carcinomas (ESCC) and their respective lymph node metastases. To our knowledge this is the first study to assess and compare the expression of these antigens in ESCC lymph node metastases. Fifty (90.9%) primary ESCC were positive for MAGE-A 3/4 and 53 (96.6%) were positive for NY-ESO-1. MAGE-A 3/4 was expressed in all lymph node metastases and the intensity of expression was high in a majority of cases. NY-ESO-1 was negative in 2 (7.1%) lymph nodes metastases, while the reaction was predominantly moderate in the positive group. In primary tumors MAGE-A 3/4 showed a significantly higher intensity of expression compared to NY-ESO-1 (P=0.047), while in lymph node metastases the intensity of expression was not significantly different (P=0.387). Primary tumors with and without lymph node metastases showed no significant differences in MAGE-A 3/4 (P=0.672) and NY-ESO-1 (P=0.444) expression. Intensity of MAGE-A 3/4 (P=0.461) and NY-ESO-1 (P=0.414) expression in primary tumors was not significantly different compared to the expression in their respective lymph nodes metastases. Expression of MAGE-A 3/4 in primary tumors showed significant positive correlation with primary tumor expression of NY-ESO-1 (P=0.021) but no significant correlation with the expression of MAGE-A 3/4 in lymph node metastases (P=0.056). Expression of NY-ESO-1 in primary tumors showed significant positive correlation with the expression of NY-ESO-1 in lymph node metastases (P=0.001) and significant negative correlation with patients’ age (P<0.001). Expression of MAGE-A 3/4 and NY-ESO-1 in primary tumors and lymph node metastases showed no significant correlation with prognostic parameters such as tumor grade and TNM stage (P>0.05). We have shown different levels of MAGE-A 3/4 and NY-ESO-1 expression in almost all specimens of primary tumor and lymph node metastases, suggesting that ESCC may be possible target of immunotherapy and anti-tumor vaccination. High levels of expression in lymph node metastases indicate possible clinical benefit of postoperative vaccine with MAGE-A3 and NY-ESO-1 in advanced stage of disease.     

VEGF-C 和VEGFR-3 在胃癌组织中的表达及临床意义

目的:探讨胃癌患者血管内皮生长因子C(vascular endothelial growth factor-C,VEGF-C及血管内皮生长因子受体-3(vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3,VEGFR-3)在胃癌组织中的表达,从而确定胃癌预后的分子标志物。方法:搜集整理临床资料,采用Real-time PCR及ELISA法检测43例胃癌组织VEGF-C和VEGFR-3的表达。结果:43例胃癌组织中均有不同程度的VEGF-C和VEGFR-3的表达,Real-time PCR结果显示胃癌组织淋巴结转移组和非转移组VEGF-C和VEGFR-3的表达分别为0.07±0.01和0.12±0.01,0.03±0.01和0.06±0.02,与正常对照组相比,差异有显著性(p<0.05)。ELISA检测显示,与正常胃组织中VEGF-C和VEGFR-3的蛋白表达相比,胃癌无淋巴结转移组及胃癌并发淋巴结转移组中VEGF-C和VEGFR-3均明显增加。结论:VEGF-C和VEGFR-3的表达与胃癌淋巴结转移密切相关,提示胃癌标本VEGF-C和VEGFR-3的检测可作为胃癌预后的分子标志物。     

Relationship between immunoexpression of mucin peptide cores MUC1 and MUC2 and Lauren's histologic subtypes of gastric carcinomas

Laurèn's system subdivides gastric cancers into an intestinal type and a diffuse type. This histological classification mirrors histogenetic hypotheses according to which the intestinal-type cancer derives from intestinal metaplasia and dysplasia, while the diffuse-type originates directly from gastric mucosa, with or without a preceding non-metaplastic dysplasia. Studies concerning mucins expression in gastric neoplastic and preneoplastic lesions have provided contradictory data concerning such histogenetic relationships. The aim of the present study was to verify whether a correlation between mucins phenotype and Lauren's classification subsists. 40 gastric adenocarcinomas, subdivided, according to Laurèn's classification, into 27 intestinal-type, 10 diffuse-type and 3 unclassified cases, were examined for MUC1 and MUC2 immunohistochemical expression. Intestinal-type carcinomas displayed a MUC1-positive staining in 23/27 cases and a MUC2-positive immunoreaction in 10/27 cases. Diffuse-type carcinomas expressed MUC1 in 3/10 and MUC2 in 8/10 cases, respectively. According to the mucins expression pattern, three phenotypes were identified: the gastric phenotype (MUC1+/MUC2-); the gastro-intestinal phenotype (MUC1+/MUC2+) and the intestinal phenotype (MUC1-/MUC2+). The gastric phenotype was significantly higherin intestinal-type adenocarcinomas, whereas cases showing an intestinal phenotype were significantly more frequent in diffuse-type adenocarcinomas. These findings provide evidence for a lack of correlation between Lauren's classification and MUC1 and MUC2 phenotypes. In particular, the term intestinal-type tumour as referred to gland-forming gastric cancer does not seem to reflect an immunohistochemical phenotype.     

p53突变蛋白在胃癌组织中的表达及免疫电镜观察

作者应用抗ｐ５３单克隆抗体Ｐａｂ１８０１（Ａｂ２美国癌基因公司产品）对３８例手术切除的胃癌组织及癌旁胃粘膜的冰冻切片标本进行ｐ５３突变蛋白表达的检测,并进一步用胶体全免疫电镜技术对ｐ５３突变蛋白的分布特征进行观察。结果：３８例胃癌组织中,２４例有ｐ５３突变蛋白高表达,阳性率６３．２％。在对应的癌旁胃粘膜中１０例为ｐ５３的弱表达,正常组织无表达。伴有淋巴结转移的２３例胃癌标本中,１８例ｐ５３高表达（７８．３％）。免疫电镜结果表现,ｐ５３蛋白主要分布于核内染色质中,胞浆中有散在的阳性区,但以核膜周边为主,紧靠核膜。本研究结果提承胃癌的发生及其肿瘤的生物学行为与抑癌基因ｐ５３的突变密切相关,ｐ５３突变蛋白可能是通过对ＤＮＡ复制的影响而参与肿瘤的形成。     

胃癌患者Sox2蛋白和CTHRC-1蛋白的表达与肿瘤发展密切相关

本研究选取病理科收集的自2016年1月至2016年12月的90例术后胃癌组织标本(胃癌组)、45例癌旁组织标本(对照组),采用免疫组化染色法检测两组标本中的Y框蛋白(Sox2)、胶原三股螺旋重叠蛋白-1表达,并分析其与肿瘤TNM分期、淋巴结转移、浸润深度、分化程度的关系,采用Spearman秩相关检验检测两种蛋白的相互关系,试图探讨胃癌患者癌组织中性别决定区Y框蛋白(Sox2)、胶原三股螺旋重叠蛋白-1(CTHRC-1)的表达及其相关性。研究结果表明:胃癌组的Sox2蛋白阳性表达率63.33%显著低于对照组的93.33%(p<0.05),胃癌组的CTHRC-1蛋白阳性表达率78.89%显著高于对照组的24.44%(p<0.05);胃癌组的Sox2蛋白阳性表达与胃癌的分化程度、发生淋巴结转移具有相关性(p<0.05);胃癌组的CTHRC-1蛋白阳性表达与胃癌的淋巴结转移、TNM分期、肿瘤浸润深度具有显著的相关性(p<0.05);胃癌组的Sox2蛋白与CTHRC-1蛋白呈显著的负相关表达(Spearman相关系数r=-0.322, p=0.002<0.05)。本研究的初步结论表明:胃癌组织中Sox2蛋白低表达和CTHRC-1蛋白高表达,并且与肿瘤发展密切相关,且二者表达呈负相关。     

Lysosomal-Associated Protein Transmembrane 4 Beta-35 Overexpression Is a Novel Independent Prognostic Marker for Gastric Carcinoma

ObjectiveThe purpose of this work was to analyze the relationships between the expression status of Lysosomal-associated protein transmembrane-4 beta 35 (LAPTM4B-35) in cancerous tissues and clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of the patients with gastric carcinoma (GC).MethodsThe GC samples from 157 patients in a discovery cohort and 148 patients in a testing cohort with follow-up data were used to validate the feasibility of expression of LAPTM4B-35 protein in predicting GC prognosis. Immunohistochemical staining was used to determine the expression of LAPTM4B-35 protein in precancerous gastric lesions and gastric carcinomas. The correlation between the expression of LAPTM4B-35 and clinicopathologic characteristics of patients with gastric carcinoma was analyzed using chi-square test. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine the association between LAPTM4B-35 expression and prognosis.ResultsLAPTM4B-35 expression was increased steadily in sequential stages of precancerous gastric lesions. Positive LAPTM4B-35 expression was more frequently detected in patients with distant metastasis (P = 0.023) and III+IV TNM stages (P = 0.042) in the discovery cohort. Kaplan-Meier survival curves and univariate analysis showed that expression of LAPTM4B-35 had a significant impact on overall survival of patients with gastric carcinoma in discovery cohort (P<0.001) and testing cohort (P = 0.001). LAPTM4B-35 expression was an independent prognostic indicator for the overall survival of patients with gastric carcinoma in both cohorts.ConclusionsThe present research demonstrated that LAPTM4B-35 over-expression was an independent factor in gastric carcinoma prognosis. LAPTM4B gene may be a useful target of interventions slowing the progression of precancerous gastric lesions and a new therapy method to improve the prognosis of gastric carcinoma.     

Mechanisms of GOLPH3 Associated with the Progression of Gastric Cancer: A Preliminary Study

Study Design

To investigate the specific mechanisms by which Golgi phosphoprotein 3 (GOLPH3) affects the progression of gastric cancer and to explore its clinical significance.

Methods

Immunohistochemical analysis was used to evaluate the correlations between GOLPH3, phosphorylated mTOR (p-mTOR), phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt), phosphorylated p70S6 (p-p70S6), phosphorylated 4E-BP1 (p-4E-BP1) and the clinicopathological features of gastric cancer. The mRNA expression levels of GOLPH3, mTOR, Akt, p70S6 and 4E-BP1 in gastric cancer, carcinoma-adjacent and paired normal tissue were analyzed using RT-PCR. Western blotting was used to determine the protein expression of GOLPH3, p-mTOR, p-Akt, p-p70S6 and p-4E-BP1 in tissues.

Results

High expression protein levels of GOLPH3, p-AKT, p-mTOR, p70S6, p-4E-BP1 were positively associated with histological grade (p<0.05), depth of invasion (p<0.05), distant metastasis (p<0.05) and lymph node involvement (p<0.05). Compared with carcinoma-adjacent and paired normal tissues, the mRNA expression levels of GOLPH3, AKT, mTOR, p70S6 and 4EBP1 in gastric cancer tissues were significantly higher. The protein expression levels of GOLPH3, p-AKT, p-mTOR, p-p70S6 and p-4E-BP1 in gastric cancer tissues were also significantly higher than in carcinoma-adjacent and paired normal tissues. A strong positive correlation was observed between GOLPH3, p-mTOR, p-p70S6 and p-4EBP1 expression (r = 0.410, 0.303 and 0.276, respectively, p<0.05), but no significant correlation between the expression of GOLPH3 and p-Akt was observed.

Conclusions

The GOPLH3 expression level is highly correlated with Akt/mTOR signaling in human gastric cancer samples. GOLPH3 combined with Akt/mTOR signaling activation may play an important role in the development, differentiation, invasion and metastasis of gastric cancer.     

PIG11、Caspase-3蛋白在胃癌中的表达及临床意义

目的:探讨PIG11、Caspase-3蛋白在胃癌中的表达及临床意义。方法:采用免疫组织化学SP法检测80例胃癌组织、36例正常胃黏膜组织、30例肠上皮化生组织及31例异型增生组织中PIG11、Caspase-3蛋白的表达水平,并分析其表达与胃癌临床病理特征的关系及两者之间的相关性。结果:胃癌组织中PIG11、Caspase-3蛋白的阳性表达率均显著低于正常胃黏膜、肠上皮化生及异型增生组织(P0.01);PIG11、Caspase-3蛋白表达水平与胃癌的分化程度、临床分期、有无淋巴结转移及远处转移密切相关(P0.05),但与患者的年龄、性别及肿瘤的浸润深度无关(P0.05);PIG11、Caspase-3蛋白在胃癌组织中的表达呈正相关(r=0.859,P0.01)。结论:PIG11、Caspase-3蛋白在胃癌中明显表达下调,且与胃癌的分化程度、临床分期、有无淋巴结转移及远处转移密切相关,可能作为胃癌预后评估的参考指标。PIG11表达下调可能通过抑制Caspase-3的表达促进胃癌的发生和发展。     

Bcl-2 expression in colorectal tumours. Correlation with p53, mdm-2, Rb proteins and proliferation indices

Immunostaining for bcl-2 protein was performed in 27 colorectal adenomas and 108 colorectal adenocarcinomas. The aim of the study was to determine bcl-2 expression in correlation with p53, mdm-2 and Rb expression, with proliferation indices (Ki-67-LI, PCNA-LI) as well as with conventional clinicopathological variables. A higher proportion of adenomas (30.8%) than carcinomas (16.7%) expressed bcl-2 and conversely, a lower proportion of adenomas (7.4%) than carcinomas expressed p53 (57.1%), the difference being statistically significant (p<0.0001). No correlation of bcl-2 expression with p53 expression (parallel or inverse) as well as with the other parameters studied was observed in any tumour. The bcl-2+/p53- subgroup of cancers showed a trend for correlation with negative lymph node status. Our data suggest, that bcl-2 expression may be involved in the early phase of colorectal carcinogenesis regardless of p53 status, while p53 function may be involved in a late stage of the adenoma-carcinoma sequence. P53 is apparently not involved in the regulation of apoptosis in the colorectal neoplasias or perhaps bcl-2 expression, as an early event in colorectal tumours, may occur before changes of p53 take place. Tumours with bcl-2+/p53- immunophenotype are frequently associated with negative lymph node status and seem to have a less aggressive behavior.     

DNA ploidy, Ki-67 and p53 as indicators of lymph node metastasis in early gastric carcinoma

OBJECTIVE: To perform flow cytometric and immunohistochemical analysis of early gastric carcinoma in order to investigate the clinical value of DNA ploidy, Ki-67 and p53 as indicators of lymph node metastasis. STUDY DESIGN: We studied 108 cases of surgically resected early gastric carcinoma, which comprised 21 cases showing positive lymph node metastasis (group A) and 87 cases showing negative lymph node metastasis (group B). RESULTS: Aneuploidy was seen in 16 cases (76.2%) in group A in contrast to 10 cases (11.5%) in group B (P = .0029). The mean value of the Ki-67 labeling rate in all cases was 21.9%, and 15 cases (79.0%) showed a Ki-67 labeling rate of more than 21.9% in group A, while they numbered 31 (37.4%) in group B (P = .0016). Cases with cell positive for p53 protein numbered 15 (75%) in group A, while they numbered 38 (46%) in group B (P = .0460). CONCLUSION: DNA aneuploidy, a high labeling rate of Ki-67 and overexpression of p53 are all useful indicators of lymph node metastasis in patients with early gastric carcinoma.