SIRT3 expression as a biomarker for better prognosis in gastric cancer

SIRT3-mitochondrial nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-dependent deacetylase sirtuin-3-plays an important role in regulating cell metabolism and carcinogenesis. The role of SIRT3 in gastric cancer has not yet been investigated.

A total of 221 gastric cancer patients who underwent curative surgery were enrolled at the Department of Surgery, Taipei Veterans General Hospital. SIRT3 expression in gastric tissues and tumors were examined in these patients using immunohistochemical staining. Clinicopathologic characteristics and survival were analyzed and compared in gastric cancer patients with or without SIRT3 expression.

The 5-year survival rates of patients with or without SIRT3 expression were 51.2 and 39.1 %, respectively (p = 0.005). The 5-year disease-free survival rates of patients with or without SIRT3 expression were 49.6 and 38.0 %, respectively (p = 0.010). Microscopic features showed that there are more poor cell differentiation (p = 0.001), more diffuse-type Lauren's histology (p = 0.018), and more scirrhous-type stromal reactions (p = 0.027) in gastric cancer without SIRT expression. Multivariate analysis with overall survival as an endpoint showed that age (p < 0.001), Lauren's histology (p = 0.007), stromal reaction (p = 0.035), TNM pathologic N category (p < 0.001), and SIRT3 expression (p < 0.001) were significantly correlated with gastric cancer.

Gastric cancer patients with SIRT3 expression have a better prognosis than those without. SIRT3 expression is an independent prognostic marker for overall survival and may act as a tumor suppressor in gastric cancer.