title: [Correlation of natural killer cells with the prognosis of gastric adenocarcinoma].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the concentration of Natural Killer cells (NK) cells in adenocarcinoma of the stomach, and its correlation with prognostic factors and survival.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-two patients with gastric adenocarcinoma who underwent gastric resection surgery and D2 lymphadenectomy in the period 1997-2007 were analyzed. The concentration of NK cells was evaluated by immunohistochemistry technique with the reagent CD57. Patients were divided into two groups: high concentration (n = 32) (more than 15 cells per 10 high power field) and low concentration (less or equal than 15 cells per 10 high power field). These two groups were compared with several prognostic factors such as: gender, age, tumor location, tumor differentiation, Lauren classification, stage, lymph nodes involvement, distant metastases and survival. The Kaplan-Meier curve was applied to evaluate survival and multivariate analysis of prognostic factors for evaluation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no relationship of NK cells with the several variables studied, except to the tumor stage (p<0.02) with high concentration in more advanced stages. Survival was better (p = 0.0025) in the group of high concentration of NK. The survival analysis in advanced stage shown that the group with high concentration had higher survival (p<0.0001). In multivariate analysis, the concentration of NK cells was an independent prognostic factor (p = 0.0027, Hazard Ratio = 0343).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The concentration of NK cells did not differ among the prognostic variables, with the exception of the staging. Patients with high concentration of NK cells showed a higher survival rate when compared to the low concentration, especially in the advanced stage.
authors: Faculdade de Medicina de Santo Amaro – FMUNISA e Escola Paulista de Medicina – UNIFESP, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. deborahderosso@uol.com.br
authors: Déborah
authors: D
authors: Rosso
authors: Moacyr P
authors: MP
authors: Rigueiro
authors: Paulo
authors: P
authors: Kassab
authors: Elias Jirjoss
authors: EJ
authors: Ilias
authors: Osvaldo A P
authors: OA
authors: Castro
authors: Neil Ferreira
authors: NF
authors: Novo
authors: Laércio G
authors: LG
authors: Lourenço
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology*; D015996:Survival Rate