Immunohistochemically detectable dickkopf-3 expression in tumor vessels predicts survival in gastric cancer.
Dickkopf-3 (Dkk-3) may act as a tumor suppressor as it is downregulated in various types of cancer. Moreover, a putative role in tumor neovascularization is discussed. Here, we investigated the expression of Dkk-3 protein in gastric cancer and its potential value as a prognostic marker. Dkk-3 expression was analyzed by immunohistochemistry in 136 tumor samples and was correlated with microvessel density (MVD), tumor stage, and grading as well as the clinical outcome of the patients. Dkk-3 expression was detected in endothelial cells of the tumor vessels in 129/136 (94.9%) and in tumor cells in 85/136 (62.5%) samples. MVD was high and low in 57 (42.9%) and 76 (57.1%) specimens respectively. In tumor cells, overexpression of Dkk-3 was found in 41 (30.1%) of all cases and was correlated significantly to pT-stage (p < 0.05) and UICC stage (p < 0.05). Survival analysis regarding Dkk-3 expression in tumor endothelial cells showed that Dkk-3 is an independent predictor of disease-free survival (p < 0.05). Dkk-3 expression in tumor vessels of patients with gastric cancer identifies a population of patients with relatively favorable prognosis.
Mühlmann
Gilbert
G
Department of Visceral, Transplant and Thoracic Surgery, Center of Operative Medicine, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria.
Untergasser
Gerold
G
Zitt
Matthias
M
Zitt
Marion
M
Maier
Hans
H
Mikuz
Gregor
G
Kronberger
Irmgard E
IE
Haffner
Michael C
MC
Gunsilius
Eberhard
E
Ofner
Dietmar
D
D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000098:blood supply / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D018925:Chemokines; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011379:Prognosis; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology
D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D018925:Chemokines; C498624:DKK3 protein, human; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
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