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KAI1 metastasis suppressor protein is down-regulated during the progression of human endometrial cancer

Fu-Shing Liu1, Jin-Tang Dong, Jung-Ta Chen

  • 1Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan 40705, Republic of China. fsliu@vghtc.gov.tw

Clinical Cancer Research : an Official Journal of the American Association for Cancer Research
|April 10, 2003
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

KAI1 gene expression decreases in advanced endometrial cancer, indicating tumor progression. Lower KAI1 levels correlate with poorer survival rates, suggesting its potential as a prognostic marker for endometrial carcinoma.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • KAI1 is a metastasis suppressor gene on chromosome 11p11.2, part of the transmembrane 4 protein superfamily.
  • Down-regulation of KAI1 is observed in various human cancers, including preliminary findings in endometrial cancer cell lines.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate KAI1 gene alterations in human endometrial carcinoma.
  • To evaluate the prognostic significance of KAI1 in endometrial cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Immunohistochemistry was used to analyze KAI1 protein expression in 143 endometrial tumors (hyperplasia, primary carcinoma, metastatic lesions).
  • Real-time quantitative PCR examined KAI1 RNA levels in 35 samples.
  • Clinicopathological factors were correlated with KAI1 expression data.

Main Results:

  • High KAI1 expression was observed in endometrial hyperplasia, but decreased significantly with advancing stages of endometrial carcinoma and metastasis (P < 0.001).
  • Poorly differentiated tumors showed significantly lower KAI1 expression than well-differentiated tumors (P < 0.001).
  • KAI1-negative tumors were associated with lower survival rates (P = 0.0042), though tumor stage was a stronger prognostic factor in multivariate analysis.

Conclusions:

  • KAI1 expression is down-regulated in advanced endometrial cancer.
  • KAI1 may serve as a clinical indicator of tumor progression and provide prognostic information for endometrial carcinoma outcomes.

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