Implication of E-cadherin and Autocrine Motility Factor Receptor in Lymphatic Involvement of Human Gastric Cancers

Yuichiro Doki, Hitoshi Shiozaki, Kenshu Kawanishi, Junnji Gofuku*, Masahiko Yano, Toshimasa Tsujinaka, Masatoshi Inoue, Morito Monden

Department of Surgery II, Osaka University Medical School
*Department of Surgery, Kano Comprehensive Hospital

Lymphatic involvement (ly) and lymph node metastasis (n) were predicted by immunohistochemical evaluation of the expression of E-cadherin (ECD), a representative cell adhesion molecule, and autocrine motility factor receptor (AMFR) in gastric cancer patients. Soluble fragments of E-cadherin (SECD) in the peripheral blood were simultaneously measured by the ELISA method. In the differentiated type of gastric cancers (tub, pap), ECD expression was negatively correlated with ly and n, but there was no such correlation in the undifferentiated type (por, sig). AMFR expression was carrelated with depth of invasion and tumor differentiation, but not with ly nor n. Interestingly, expression of ECD and AMFR was negatively correlated, and the ECD(-)/AMFR(+) tumors showed the highest incidence of ly and n. There was inconsistency in the evaluation of n and ly in 21% patients, and predictions could not be made on the basis of either ECD or AMFR expression. However, elevation of SECD levels was more sensitively associated with the presence of either ly or n than ECD or AMFR expression. Thus, the immunohistochemical expression of ECD and AMFR can partly predict the presence of ly and n. SECD were easily measured preoperatively, and the measurements were reproducible, objective, and more sensitive in predicting ly nad n. Thus, clinical application of SECD is expected in the future.

Key words
E-cadherin, autocrine motility factor receptor, lymphatic involvement in gastric cancer

Reprint requests
Yuichiro Doki Department of Surgery II, Osaka University Medical School
2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871 JAPAN

Accepted
July 22, 1998

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