High Expression of CLDN 18.2 is Associated with Poor Disease-Free Survival of HER-2 Positive Gastric Cancer

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Gastroenterology
• Molecular Pathology

Background:

• Anti-claudin (CLDN) 18.2 therapy shows efficacy in advanced gastric cancer with negative human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2).
• The prognostic role of CLDN 18.2 in HER-2-positive gastric cancer remains to be fully elucidated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate claudin (CLDN) 18.2 expression in HER-2-positive gastric cancer patients post-resection.
• To determine the relationship between CLDN 18.2 expression and the prognosis of HER-2-positive gastric cancer.

Main Methods:

• Immunohistochemistry was used to detect CLDN 18.2 protein in 55 postoperative HER-2-positive gastric cancer patients.
• COX regression analysis identified independent prognostic factors for disease-free survival (DFS).

Main Results:

• CLDN 18.2 protein expression varied among HER-2-positive gastric cancer tissues.
• Higher CLDN 18.2 expression correlated with lymph node positivity and poorer prognosis.
• Median DFS was 38.5 months for low CLDN 18.2 expression and 12.1 months for high expression.

Conclusions:

• Elevated CLDN 18.2 expression in HER-2-positive gastric cancer is linked to unfavorable outcomes.
• Exploring optimal therapeutic strategies for this patient subset is warranted, especially with the advent of anti-CLDN 18.2 drugs.