title: AFP (alpha fetoprotein): who are you in gastrology?
abstract: AFP-producing (hepatoid differentiation) gastric cancer (GC) initially reported in 1970 plays an important role in the field of gastrology, which should be distinguished from other solid-type GCs owing to their different biological behavior. This review article aims to summarize the literature related to the role of AFP in gastric cancer and to unveil the underlying mechanism by which AFP-production impacts prognosis of GC patients. The prima facie evidence demonstrated that AFP-producing GC is more aggressive and characterized by a high incidence of venous invasion, lymphatic invasion, and metachronous and synchronous liver metastasis compared with AFP-non producing GC. Furthermore, distant metastasis was frequently observed, leading to a poorer overall prognosis. The underlying molecular mechanism is still obscure and optimal regimen remains undefined well. Nevertheless, our present study advances the knowledge of AFP-producing GC in the field of gastrology. AFP-positivity should be highlighted and an a priori enhancive intervention is needed to improve prognosis in future clinical practice. Personalized medication is strongly suggested.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Fuyang People's Hospital, Hangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Wenhui
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastric Cancer Surgery, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, City Key Laboratory of Tianjin Cancer Center, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Tianjin, China.
authors.forename: Yong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery and Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital of School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Dawei
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Shou
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Qiming
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Ningbo First Hospital, Ningbo, China.
authors.forename: Jianguang
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery and Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital of School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery and Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital of School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China. Electronic address: liangtingbo@zju.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Tingbo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery and Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital of School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China. Electronic address: weihua.gong@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Weihua
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Gong
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D011379:Prognosis; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins
keywords: AFP; Gastric cancer; Metastasis