[Expressions of homeobox transcription factor-2 and E-cadherin in gastric carcinoma and their clinical significance].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the expressions of homeobox transcription factor-2 (CDX(2)) and E-cadherin and their relations to the clinicopathological characteristics of gastric carcinoma.


METHODS
Immunohistochemistry was performed on 83 human gastric carcinoma specimens and 40 normal gastric mucosa specimens for examining the expressions of CDX(2) and E-cadherin, and the relations of their expression with the tumor differentiation, infiltration and metastasis were analyzed.


RESULTS
According to the LaurAn classification, the positive expression rate of CDX(2) in intestinal type of gastric carcinoma was 56.86%, and 34.38% in the diffuse type, showing significant difference between the two types (P<0.05). The positivity rate of E-cadherin was also significantly different between the two types (66.67% vs 28.13%, P<0.01). In regard to tumor differentiation, the positivity of CDX(2) and E-cadherin expressions was significantly different between moderately to well differentiated tumors and poorly differentiated ones (P<0.01). The tumors infiltrating mucosal and submucosal layers were significantly different from those infiltrating the muscular and serous membrane layer in the positivity of CDX(2) and E-cadherin expressions (P<0.01), which were also different for the presence of lymph node metastasis (P<0.05). Regression analysis did not reveal significant correlations between CDX(2) and E-cadherin expression in gastric carcinoma (P>0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The abnormal expression of CDX(2) and E-cadherin plays an important role in the development of gastric carcinoma, especially the intestinal type. CDX(2) and E-cadherin may serve as useful markers to predict the prognosis of patients with gastric carcinoma.
Ge
Jie
J
Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410008, China. gejiedoctor@yahoo.com.cn
Chen
Zi-hua
ZH
Chen
Zhi-kang
ZK
Yuan
Wei-jie
WJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D000071616:CDX2 Transcription Factor; D015820:Cadherins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D000071616:CDX2 Transcription Factor; C491270:CDX2 protein, human; D015820:Cadherins; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins