Luminal membrane expression of mesothelin is a prominent poor prognostic factor for gastric cancer
British Journal of Cancer, 05/31/2012
Einama T et al. – We described that the luminal membrane expression of mesothelin was a reliable prognostic factor in gastric cancer, suggesting the functional significance of membrane-localised mesothelin in the aggressive behaviour of gastric cancer cells.
Methods- Tissue specimens from 110 gastric cancer patients were immunohistochemically examined.
- The staining proportion and intensity of mesothelin expression in tumour cells were analysed, and the localisation of mesothelin was classified into luminal membrane and/or cytoplasmic expression.
- Mesothelin was positive in 49 cases, and the incidence of mesothelin expression was correlated with lymph-node metastasis.
- Furthermore, luminal membrane staining of mesothelin was identified in 16 cases, and the incidence of luminal membrane expression was also correlated with pT factor, pStage, lymphatic permeation, blood vessel permeation, recurrence, and poor patient outcome.
- Multivariate analysis showed that luminal membrane expression of mesothelin was an independent predictor of overall patient survival.
