Sign in Subscribe
Cancer

Gene Expression Levels in Gastric Cancer Tumors Highlight Tumor Progression

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Research published in the Gastric Cancer journal revealed significant differences in gene expression levels among specific sites of primary tumors and synchronous lymph node metastases in advanced gastric cancer patients. The study analyzed 48 patients' specimens, obtained through laser-captured microdissection, to determine the expression levels of six target genes: thymidylate synthase (TS), thymidine phosphorylase (TP), dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF1 alpha). The results showed that TP, DPD, EGFR, and HIF1 alpha gene expression levels were significantly higher in deep sections than in surface sections, while TP, EGFR, VEGF, and HIF1 alpha were significantly higher in lymph node metastases than in surface sections.

Key Takeaways:

  • Gene expression levels of TP, DPD, EGFR, and HIF1 alpha were significantly higher in deep sections than in surface sections of gastric cancer tumors (p < 0.05).
  • Gene expression levels of TP, EGFR, VEGF, and HIF1 alpha were significantly higher in lymph node metastases than in surface sections of gastric cancer tumors (p < 0.05).
  • The study observed positive correlations between gene expression levels and tumor progression.
  • The research involved 48 patients with previously untreated advanced gastric cancer, who underwent surgical resection of their tumors.
  • The specimens were obtained through laser-captured microdissection from five regions: nonneoplastic mucosa, surface layer of the primary tumor, middle layer of the primary tumor, deepest layer of the primary tumor, and level 1 synchronous lymph node metastasis.
  • The selected target genes were determined to be expressed at significantly different levels among the specimen regions.

Statistics:

  • 48 patients were involved in the study.
  • 5 regions of the tumor were analyzed: nonneoplastic mucosa, surface layer, middle layer, deepest layer, and lymph node metastasis.
  • Significant differences in gene expression levels were observed among the regions for TP, DPD, EGFR, and HIF1 alpha (p < 0.05).
  • Gene expression levels of TP, EGFR, VEGF, and HIF1 alpha were significantly higher in lymph node metastases than in surface sections (p < 0.05).

Sources:

  • "Comparison of site-specific gene expression levels in primary tumors and synchronous lymph node metastases in advanced gastric cancer." Gastric Cancer, 2015;18(2):262-270.
  • Gastric Cancer, Springer, 233 Spring St, New York, NY 10013, USA (www.springer.com, www.springerlink.com/content/1436-3291/)
  • A. Naruke, Kitasato University, Sch Med, Dept. of Pathol, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 2520374, Japan.

Read more