title: HMGA1/HMGA2 protein expression and prognostic implications in gastric cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The high mobility group A1 (HMGA1) and high mobility group A2 (HMGA2) proteins are architectural transcription factors that have been implicated in the pathogenesis and progression of multiple malignant tumors, including gastric cancer. The aim of this study was to explore the roles of HMGA1 and HMGA2 in gastric carcinogenesis.
  
  
  METHODS
  The expression of HMGA1 and HMGA2 was examined in 110 gastric adenocarcinomas, 29 gastric adenomas, and 30 normal controls. The results were correlated with the clinicopathological parameters of the tumors and patient outcome.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The levels of HMGA1 and HMGA2 proteins were significantly increased in gastric cancer samples compared with adenoma and normal gastric tissues. High HMGA1 nuclear immunoreactivity was not correlated with clinicopathological features; however, high levels of HMGA2 protein were significantly associated with T stage, N stage, lymphatic invasion, perineural invasion, and TNM stage. Moreover, HMGA2 expression was significantly associated with shorter recurrence free survival. Multivariate analysis showed that HMGA2 expression was an independent prognostic factor for tumor recurrence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest that HMGA1 and HMGA2 are implicated in gastric carcinogenesis and may play a role in tumor progression towards a more malignant phenotype. The HMGA2 protein may be a useful prognostic marker for predicting tumor recurrence.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, St. Vincent's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Kyong-Hwa
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Jun
authors.affiliation: Department of Hospital Pathology, St. Vincent's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: patholjjh7633@catholic.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Ji-Han
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.affiliation: Department of Hospital Pathology, St. Vincent's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hyun-Joo
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Clinical Medical Laboratory, St. Vincent's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Eun-Young
authors.initials: EY
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, St. Vincent's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hyung-Min
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Chin
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D000236:Adenoma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000096:biosynthesis; D001706:Biopsy; D005260:Female; D025741:HMGA1a Protein / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D025743:HMGA2 Protein / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D025743:HMGA2 Protein; D025741:HMGA1a Protein
keywords: Gastric cancer; HMGA1; HMGA2; Recurrence free survival