Expression of EphA2 and E-cadherin in gastric cancer: correlated with tumor progression and lymphogenous metastasis.
In this study, gastric cancer progression was correlated with the over-expression of erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular (Eph)A2 receptor and down-expression of epithelial cadherin (E-cadherin). Immunohistochemistry of EphA2 and E-cadherin were performed on these tumor samples from 165 primary lesions of gastric cancer. The results showed that expression of EphA2 was obviously increased in gastric cancer tissues (P < 0.01), which was positively correlated with the depth of cancer invasion, tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage and lymph node metastasis (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, the expression of E-cadherin was significantly reduced (P < 0.01), which was negatively correlated with the depth of cancer invasion, grade of tumor differentiation, TNM stage and lymph node metastasis (P < 0.05). The correlation between EphA2 and E-cadherin expression was negative (r = -0.198, P = 0.011). In conclusion, either the over-expression of EphA2 or the down-expression of E-cadherin is correlated with cancer progression and lymphogenous metastasis in gastric cancer, suggesting that both of them may play an important role in tumor progression and metastasis.
Yuan
Weijie
W
Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Xiangya Road, Changsha 410008, Hunan Province, Peoples Republic of China.
Chen
Zhikang
Z
Wu
Shaobin
S
Ge
Jie
J
Chang
Shi
S
Wang
Xianwei
X
Chen
Jingxiang
J
Chen
Zihua
Z
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D015820:Cadherins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D036104:Receptor, EphA2 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D015820:Cadherins; D036104:Receptor, EphA2