O002 Expression of MLN64 (lymph node metastasis 64) gene transcript in clinical gastric cancer and relationship with the ERBB4

Abstract

Abstract Introduction MLN64 (Lymph Node Metastasis 64, or STARD3 (StAR Related Lipid Transfer Domain Containing 3)) has a role in the progression of certain cancers including breast and prostate cancers and connected to the pattern of ERBB2 (Her2). The present study explored the expression of MLN64 in clinical gastric cancer in connection with the ERBB family. Methods A gastric cancer cohort (n=322) was tested for the expression profile of MLN64 along with the ERBB family members. Comparisons were made between clinical, pathological subgroups and the clinical outcome together with ERBB expression status. Results Gastric tumours expressed significantly raised levels of MLN64 than normal tissues (p=0.0012) and showed a stepwise increase with increased tumour grade and TNM staging. However, there was no significant difference between node negative and node positive tumours. MLN64 alone had a weak value in evaluating the overall (OS) and disease free (DFS) survival. Amongst the four ERBB family members, MLN64 had a significant correlation with ERBB4 (Her4) (p=0.004). Stratification of patients by ERBB4 expression status indicates that in patients with low ERBB4 tumours, MLN64 presents a significant factor in assessing both disease free (DFS) p=0.027) and overall survival (OS) (p=0.048). Similarly, MLN64 expression identified a subpopulation of node positive patients with a most adverse clinical outcome (p=0.009 for DFS and p=0.048 for OS). Conclusion MLN64 expression is an indicator for the disease progression and clinical outcome in gastric cancer. Together with the expression pattern of ERBB4, it makes a prognostic factor for the patients.