The expression of adiponectin receptors Adipo-R1 and Adipo-R2 is associated with an intestinal histotype and longer survival in gastric carcinoma.
BACKGROUND
Adiponectin (ApN) is a 30 kDa adipocytokine which mediates an antineoplastic effect after binding to its receptors, Adipo-R1 and Adipo-R2. The expression of these receptors has been documented in gastric cancer (GC) cell lines, but only a few data exist on their expression in GC neoplastic tissue.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the expression of Adipo-R1 and Adipo-R2 in a series of surgically resected GCs and to assess its association with various tumour clinicopathological characteristics as well as with patient survival.


METHODS
Forty-nine surgically resected GCs were submitted to immunohistochemical assays for Adipo-R1, Adipo-R2 and ApN.


RESULTS
Adipo-R1 and Adipo-R2 immunoexpression was found in 22/49 GCs and in intestinal metaplasia areas near the tumours, whereas only slight immunoreactivity for these proteins was found in adjacent normal gastric epithelium. No ApN expression was encountered in any of the cases analysed. Adipo-R1/Adipo-R2 expression was significantly associated with an intestinal histotype of the tumours and with longer overall survival of the patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Intestinal-type GCs often express Adipo-R1/R2 in association with a better prognosis. The presence of these receptors could be exploited for novel anticancer therapies based on ApN addition in GC.
Barresi
V
V
Department of Human Pathology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy. vbarresi@unime.it
Grosso
M
M
Giuffrè
G
G
Tuccari
G
G
Barresi
G
G
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D054419:Receptors, Adiponectin / Q000378:metabolism*; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D016019:Survival Analysis
C475418:ADIPOR1 protein, human; C475420:ADIPOR2 protein, human; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D054419:Receptors, Adiponectin