[Expression of hepatocyte growth factor and its receptor in gastric cancer].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the role of expression of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and its receptor (c-Met) in gastric cancer.


METHODS
The expression of HGF and c-Met was detected with SABC immunohistochemistry in 44 specimens of gastric cancer, 20 chronic superficial gastritis, 10 chronic atrophic gastritis and 16 gastric ulcer tissues.


RESULTS
No positive expression of HGF/c-Met was found in the chronic superficial gastritis specimens. The positivity rates of HGF in the gastric cancer was 72.7% (32/44), significantly higher than that in chronic atrophic gastritis [20% (2/10), P<0.005] and gastric ulcer [37.5% (6/16). P<0.025]. The positivity rates of c-Met in gastric cancer [77.3% (34/44)] was also significantly higher than that in chronic atrophic gastritis [40% (4/10), P<0.05] and gastric ulcer [37.5% (6/16), P<0.025].


CONCLUSIONS
Co-expression of HGF and c-Met in gastric cancer may promote the progression of the malignancy, and also opens a new pathway for the therapy of gastric cancer.
Chen
Jun-zhong
JZ
Shenzhen Longgang Central Hospital, Shenzhen 518116, China. cjz0755@21cn.com
Zhao
Yong
Y
Xu
Jia-feng
JF
Liu
Qing
Q
Liu
Sheng-huo
SH
Zhang
Hong-de
HD
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D017228:Hepatocyte Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019859:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met / Q000378:metabolism*; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D055815:Young Adult
D017228:Hepatocyte Growth Factor; D019859:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met