Involvement of phosphatase of regenerating liver-3 and E-cadherin in the process of the lymph node metastasis of gastric cancer

Abstract

Objective To investigate the relationship between phosphatase of regenerating liver-3 (PRL-3) and E-cadherin with lymph node metastasis of gastric cancer, survival and prognosis. Methods The expression of PRL-3 and E-cadherin in 53 cases of gastric cancer tissues and 30 cases of normal gastric tissues was examined by immunohistochemical method. The relationship between PRL-3 and E-cadherin with the pathological parameters was statistically analyzed. Results PRL-3 was not expressed in normal gastric mucosa, and the positive expression of PRL-3 in gastric cancer tissues was 45. 3%(24/53).E-cadherin existed in most glandular cells of the cytoplasmic membrane, and the positive expression of E-cadherin in gastric cancer tissues was 54. 7%(29/ 53).The expression of PRL-3 was correlated with lymph node metastasis(P< 0. 01), Goseki grade(P< 0. 01), Borrmann classification(P< 0. 01) and infection of Helicobacter pylori(P< 0. 05).The expression of E-cadherin was correlated with lymph node metastasis(P< 0. 01), Borrmann classification(P< 0. 01) and infection of Helicobacter pylori(P< 0. 01).The expression of Lauren's type, PRL-3 expression and E-cadherin were independent predictive factors of survival in patients with gastric cancer. Conclusion The expression of PRL-3 and E-cadherin was related with lymph node metastasis, and two proteins were the independent predictors of survival in gastric cancer patients. Key words: Gastric cancer; Phosphatase of regenerating liver-3; E-cadherin; Lymph node metastasis