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Expression of EphA2 and E-cadherin in Gastric Cancer: Correlated with Tumor Progression and Lymphogenous Metastasis

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Pathology & Oncology Research

Abstract

In this study, gastric cancer progression was correlated with the over-expression of erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular (Eph)A2 receptor and down-expression of epithelial cadherin (E-cadherin). Immunohistochemistry of EphA2 and E-cadherin were performed on these tumor samples from 165 primary lesions of gastric cancer. The results showed that expression of EphA2 was obviously increased in gastric cancer tissues (P < 0.01), which was positively correlated with the depth of cancer invasion, tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage and lymph node metastasis (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, the expression of E-cadherin was significantly reduced (P < 0.01), which was negatively correlated with the depth of cancer invasion, grade of tumor differentiation, TNM stage and lymph node metastasis (P < 0.05). The correlation between EphA2 and E-cadherin expression was negative (r = −0.198, P = 0.011). In conclusion, either the over-expression of EphA2 or the down-expression of E-cadherin is correlated with cancer progression and lymphogenous metastasis in gastric cancer, suggesting that both of them may play an important role in tumor progression and metastasis.

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Abbreviations

Eph:

erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular

E-cadherin:

epithelial cadherin

RTK:

receptor tyrosine kinase

PBS:

phosphate buffered solution

DAB:

diaminobenzidine tetrachloride

TNM:

tumor-node-metastasis

MMP:

matrix metalloprotease

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, Hunan Province, People, s Republic of China

    Weijie Yuan, Zhikang Chen, Shaobin Wu, Jie Ge, Shi Chang, Xianwei Wang, Jingxiang Chen & Zihua Chen

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  1. Weijie Yuan
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  2. Zhikang Chen
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  3. Shaobin Wu
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  4. Jie Ge
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  5. Shi Chang
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  6. Xianwei Wang
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  7. Jingxiang Chen
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  8. Zihua Chen
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Correspondence to Zihua Chen.

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Yuan, W., Chen, Z., Wu, S. et al. Expression of EphA2 and E-cadherin in Gastric Cancer: Correlated with Tumor Progression and Lymphogenous Metastasis. Pathol. Oncol. Res. 15, 473–478 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12253-008-9132-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12253-008-9132-y

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