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Clinical significance of ApoE expression in human gastric cancer
Katsuya Sakashita1, Fumiaki Tanaka, Xiang Zhang
1Department of Surgery, Medical Institute of Bioregulation Kyushu University, Beppu 874-0838, Japan.
Abstract:
ApoE plays a key role in various biological events. The aim of this study is to clarify its clinical significance in gastric cancer. We obtained paired clinical bulk samples of tumor tissue and corresponding normal tissue from 124 gastric cancer patients. To address ApoE mRNA expression clearly, we selected four samples, and differentially dissected gastric cancer and normal epithelium using laser microdissection (LMD) system. ApoE mRNA expression was examined by real-time reverse transcription (RT)-polymerase chain reaction (PCR). ApoE protein expression was assessed by immnunohistochemistry. The relationship between ApoE mRNA expression and clinicopathologic factors was statistically analyzed. RT-PCR assay for 124 bulk samples showed that ApoE mRNA expression was more highly expressed in gastric cancer tissue than in corresponding normal mucosa (p < 0.0001). By RT-PCR assay of four LMD samples, ApoE mRNA was overexpressed in gastric cancer. Immunohistochemistry showed that ApoE was predominantly expressed in gastric cancer. Tumors with high ApoE mRNA expression showed deeper tumor invasion into the muscle layer (p < 0.0001), the serosal layer (p < 0.01), or more positive lymph node metastasis (p < 0.05). When assessed by Kaplan-Meier analysis, patients with high ApoE expression tumor had a shorter survival than those with low ApoE expression tumor (p < 0.05). Moreover, multivariate analysis indicated that high ApoE mRNA expression was an independent indicator for muscular invasion (p < 0.01). ApoE is highly expressed in gastric cancer, contributing to shorter survival. In particular, ApoE was closely correlated with muscular invasion, and may be a possible biomarker predicting muscular invasion of gastric cancer.
Insights
Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) is highly expressed in gastric cancer, correlating with deeper invasion and poorer survival. High ApoE mRNA expression may predict tumor muscular invasion, indicating its clinical significance in gastric cancer progression.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) is involved in lipid metabolism and has diverse biological functions.
- Its role in gastric cancer pathogenesis and clinical significance remains to be fully elucidated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression levels of ApoE in gastric cancer tissues.
- To determine the correlation between ApoE expression and clinicopathological features, patient survival, and its potential as a biomarker for tumor invasion.
Main Methods:
- Paired tumor and normal gastric tissues from 124 patients were analyzed.
- Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) mRNA expression was quantified using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).
- ApoE protein expression was assessed via immunohistochemistry, with specific analysis of laser microdissected samples.
Main Results:
- ApoE mRNA and protein were significantly overexpressed in gastric cancer tissues compared to normal mucosa.
- High ApoE mRNA expression correlated with deeper tumor invasion (muscular and serosal layers) and increased lymph node metastasis.
- Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that high ApoE expression was associated with shorter patient survival.
- Multivariate analysis identified high ApoE mRNA expression as an independent predictor of muscular invasion.
Conclusions:
- Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) is upregulated in gastric cancer and is associated with aggressive clinicopathological features.
- Elevated ApoE expression is linked to poorer patient survival and may serve as a predictive biomarker for tumor muscular invasion in gastric cancer.
