title: A prognostic value of syndecan-1 in gastric cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Syndecan-1, a cell surface heparan sulphate proteoglycan, has a role in cell adhesion, maturation and proliferation. Syndecan-1 has been reported to be a promising prognostic marker in various cancer forms.
  
  
  METHODS
  We analysed tumour specimens from 296 gastric cancer patients. Syndecan-1 expression was studied by immunohistochemistry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Syndecan-1 immunoreactivity was observed in 234 (79%) patients. The expression of syndecan-1 did not correlate significantly with the presence of lymph node metastases, distant metastases, peritoneal spreading, penetration depth, tumour size, tumour location, Borrmann's classification, Laurén's classification, age or gender. Syndecan-1 immunoreactivity correlated significantly with survival in the whole patient series (p = 0.0499) and also in the subgroup of patients with stage I cancer (p = 0.0417), but not in patients with stage II, III or IV disease. In multivariate survival analysis, stage of disease and tumour size emerged as the only independent prognostic factors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In conclusion, immunohistochemical expression of syndecan-1 is a potential prognostic factor in gastric cancer, especially in patients with stage I disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Finland.
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Wiksten
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lundin
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nordling
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kokkola
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Haglund
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000032:analysis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D011509:Proteoglycans / Q000032:analysis*; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000401:mortality; D015996:Survival Rate; D053668:Syndecan-1; D053667:Syndecans
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D011509:Proteoglycans; C508241:SDC1 protein, human; D053668:Syndecan-1; D053667:Syndecans