A new prognostic strategy for gastric carcinoma: mRNA expression of tumor growth-related factors in endoscopic biopsy specimens.
OBJECTIVE
The study analyzed the prognostic value of the transcription of several tumor growth-related genes in gastric carcinoma biopsy specimens.


BACKGROUND
The nodal status is one of the most significant prognostic factors in gastric carcinoma. There are, however, no satisfactory parameters for the preoperative assessment of nodal status.


METHODS
A reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis was used to analyze the transcription of several tumor growth-related genes in endoscopic biopsy specimens from 78 gastric carcinomas. The factors examined were cyclin D1, cyclin E, urokinase-type plasminogen activator, 72-kd type IV collagenase, vascular endothelial growth factor, platelet-derived growth factor-A (PDGF-A), transforming growth factor-beta, and interleukin-10. The relation between the mRNA expression and the clinical pathologic parameters was analyzed statistically.


RESULTS
The incidence of PDGF-A (p = 0.010) and transforming growth factor-beta (p = 0.009) mRNA expression increased as the pathologic stage advanced. Nodal metastasis correlated with cyclin D1 (p = 0.045), cyclin E (p = 0.037), urokinase-type plasminogen activator (p = 0.047), and PDGF-A (p = 0.003) mRNA. Interestingly, the expression of PDGF-A mRNA showed a positive correlation (p = 0.004) with the early presence of lymph node metastases.


CONCLUSIONS
Tumor growth-related factor mRNA in biopsy specimens may be a new prognostic tool.
Nakamura
M
M
Department of Surgery, Saga Medical School, Japan.
Katano
M
M
Fujimoto
K
K
Morisaki
T
T
D001706:Biopsy; D015139:Blotting, Southern; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D017931:DNA Primers; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000473:pathology; D015870:Gene Expression; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011379:Prognosis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D013270:Stomach / Q000473:pathology; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
D017931:DNA Primers; D006133:Growth Substances; D012333:RNA, Messenger