Tenascin-C expression correlates with prognosis in gastric cancer.
OBJECTIVE
Tenascin-C is a hexameric extracellular matrix glycoprotein that is expressed during embryonic development and re-expressed in proliferative processes such as wound healing and tumorigenesis. Stromal tenascin-C may block tumor invasion and thus have a significant influence on tumor spread and prognosis.


METHODS
In the present study, tissue expression of stromal tenascin-C was studied by immunohistochemistry in a series of 314 patients with gastric cancer.


RESULTS
Strong tenascin-C positivity was seen in the stroma of the tumor in 122 (39%) cases. There was a correlation between strong tenascin-C expression and low stage (p = 0.002), superficial tumor penetration (p = 0.02), location of tumor at the distal third of the stomach (p = 0.03), and potentially curative surgery (p = 0.008). No significant correlation was found between tenascin-C positivity and nodal status, distant metastases, age, Laurén classification, gender, tumor size, or Borrmann classification. The cumulative 5-year survival in patients with strong tenascin-C expression was 42% compared to 26% in those with negative-to-moderate expression (p = 0.0053). In multivariate survival analysis stratified for estimated cure of surgery, stage of disease was the only independent prognostic factor.


CONCLUSIONS
In conclusion, tenascin-C expression seems to correlate with cancer related survival in patients with gastric cancer, but may not add significant prognostic information to that provided by TNM stage.
Wiksten
Jan-Patrik
JP
Department of Surgery, Central Hospital, University of Helsinki, FIN-00029 HUS Helsinki, Finland.
Lundin
Johan
J
Nordling
Stig
S
Lundin
Mikael
M
Kokkola
Arto
A
von Boguslawski
Kristina
K
Haglund
Caj
C
D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology*; D016019:Survival Analysis; D019063:Tenascin / Q000032:analysis*
D019063:Tenascin