Prognostic role of phospho-PRAS40 (Thr246) expression in gastric cancer.
BACKGROUND
Phospho-PRAS40(Thr246) (phosphorylated proline-rich Akt substrate of 40 kilodaltons at Thr246) is a biomarker for phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway activation and AKT inhibitors sensitivity.


METHODS
In this study, we immunohistochemically investigated the expression of phospho-PRAS40(Thr246) in 141 gastric cancer tumors, and evaluated its clinicopathological and prognostic significance.


RESULTS
Sixty-four cases (45.4%) were defined as phospho-PRAS40(Thr246) positive. Phospho-PRAS40(Thr246) correlated positively with lymph node metastasis, lymphatic infiltration, vascular infiltration and shorter survival. Furthermore, phospho-PRAS40(Thr246) is an independent prognostic factor for gastric cancer.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data suggest that phospho-PRAS40(Thr246) was frequently expressed in gastric cancers, and correlated with malignant progression and poor prognosis of patients. PI3K pathway-targeted therapies should be considered in the future treatment of gastric cancers.
Department of General Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Research Institute of Digestive Diseases, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian Province, China.
Yi-Zhuo
YZ
Lu
Department of Laboratory Diagnosis, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China.
An-Mei
AM
Deng
Department of General Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Research Institute of Digestive Diseases, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian Province, China.
Liang-Hui
LH
Li
Department of General Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Research Institute of Digestive Diseases, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian Province, China.
Guo-Yan
GY
Liu
Department of General Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Research Institute of Digestive Diseases, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian Province, China.
Guo-Yang
GY
Wu
PI3K; PRAS40; phosphorylation; prognosis; targeted therapy