Oncofetal protein, IMP-3, a potential marker for prediction of postoperative peritoneal dissemination in gastric adenocarcinoma.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to determine the expression of insulin-like growth factor-II messenger RNA (mRNA)-binding protein-3 (IMP-3) and its clinical significance in gastric cancers, as well the prognostic value of its expression in the peritoneal lavage fluid after surgery.


METHODS
IMP-3 expression was examined by immunohistochemistry in 96 primary gastric tumors. IMP-3 mRNA expression in peritoneal lavage fluid obtained at laparotomy was determine by real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).


RESULTS
Positive staining for IMP-3 was observed in 74% (71/96) of the tumors. IMP-3 expression in gastric tumors correlated significantly with worst overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival. Multivariate analyses identified pathological N stage and IMP-3 expression as significant independent prognostic factors for disease-free survival. Eight (28%) of 36 peritoneal lavage samples were cytologically negative but positive for IMP-3 mRNA expression by RT-PCR. The OS of patients with IMP-3-positive peritoneal lavage was significantly worse than of those with negative expression.


CONCLUSIONS
IMP-3 expression in primary gastric tumors was an independent poor prognostic factor. IMP-3 mRNA expression in peritoneal lavage fluid was a predictor of recurrence after surgery in gastric cancer and a marker of poor prognosis.
Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan.
Kaoru
K
Okada
Yoshiyuki
Y
Fujiwara
Yurika
Y
Nakamura
Shuji
S
Takiguchi
Kiyokazu
K
Nakajima
Hiroshi
H
Miyata
Makoto
M
Yamasaki
Yukinori
Y
Kurokawa
Tsuyoshi
T
Takahashi
Masaki
M
Mori
Yuichiro
Y
Doki
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007813:Laparotomy; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010533:Peritoneal Lavage; D010534:Peritoneal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery; D011379:Prognosis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D015996:Survival Rate
C498780:IGF2BP3 protein, human; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins