Abstract
Background
Twist, a basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor, has been reported to play a key role in the metastatic progression of several types of cancer.
Aims
To investigate the expression and clinical significance of Twist, E-cadherin, and N-cadherin in gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs).
Methods
The expression of Twist, E-cadherin, and N-cadherin in GISTs was determined by immunohistochemistry, and their relationship with clinicopathological characteristics was analyzed.
Results
The positive rates of Twist, E-cadherin, and N-cadherin in GISTs were 66.7 % (52/78), 35.9 % (28/78), and 75.6 % (59/78), respectively. Twist was expressed significantly more in GISTs with distant metastasis or local invasion (p < 0.05). Although E-cadherin was expressed significantly less in cases of GISTs with distant metastasis (p < 0.05), expression of N-cadherin did not differ significantly according to clinical and pathological characteristics (p > 0.05). Expression of Twist was correlated positively with E-cadherin (rs = −0.253, p = 0.026) and negatively with N-cadherin (rs = 0.245, p = 0.030).
Conclusions
Twist was expressed significantly more and E-cadherin significantly less in GISTs with metastasis, and expression of both was closely related to metastasis of GISTs.
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Acknowledgments
This study was supported by Guizhou Social Development Research Project, Grant Number: SY[2010]3117.
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The authors declare no competing interests.
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Ding, J., Zhang, Z., Pan, Y. et al. Expression and Significance of Twist, E-Cadherin, and N-Cadherin in Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors. Dig Dis Sci 57, 2318–2324 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-012-2186-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-012-2186-4