DNA ploidy analysis and the expression of TIMP-2 and E-cadherin in gastric carcinoma

AIM:To investigate DNA ploidy and the expression of TIMP-2 and E-cadherin in gastric carcinoma in order to understand its molecular basis and probable mechanism of invasion and metastasis. METHODS:Immunohistochemical methods were used to detect the expression for TIMP-2 and E-cadherin in 99 cases of gastric carcinoma, 16 cases of adjacent noncancerous mucosa, 16 cases of distant metastases and 25 cases of metastatic lymph nodes. Flow cytometry DNA ploidy and S-phase fraction (SPF) analysis was performed on 47 cases of gastric cancer, 6 cases of adjacent noncancerous mucosa and 4 cases of distant metastasis cancer with the use of formalin-fixed paraffin embedded specimens. RESULTS:The expression of TIMP-2 was significantly correlated with Borrmann’s classification, LN metastasis and the depth of invasion. The expression of E-cadherin was significantly correlated with tumor cell differentiation, Lauren’s classification, Borrmann’s classification, LN metastasis and the depth of invasion. There was a positive relationship between DNA aneuploid rate and differentiation and LN metastasis. There was a positive relationship between SPF that is higher than 15% and tumor size, differentiation and LN metastasis. And there was a significantly difference between carcinoma and noncarcinoma when the expression of E-cadherin, DNA aneuploid rate and SPF were analyzed. There was no correlation between TIMP-2 and E-cadherin. There was a positive relationship between DNA ploidy or SPF and the expression of E-cadherin. CONCLUSION:As the development of tumor progression and heterogeneity, the abnormal expression of TIMP-2 or E-cadherin or the rate of DNA aneupoid or higher SPF gradually correspondingly increases, suggesting that they play a crucial role in gastric carcinoma progression. Furthermore, each factor influences one another and further accelerates the process of tumor progression.