Evaluation of MCAM expression in correlation with clinicopathological parameters of gastric cancer

MCAM (Melanoma Cell Adhesion Molecule) is an adhesion protein belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily, which was identified as a melanoma-specific protein. It is now clear that it can also be found in other types of neoplasms, e.g. in the carcinoma of the prostate, breast, ovary and stomach. MCAM plays a major pro-migratory role in the vascular system, promoting metastases. Therefore the study objective was to immunohistochemically evaluate MCAM expression in gastric cancer as well as to examine the correlation with chosen clinical-histopathological parameters. The study has shown that positive expression of MCAM was observed in cancer cells in 42.5% and in stromal cells in 33.3% of patients. The expression was more frequently seen in low desmoplasia tumors. The positive expression was also associated with higher grade of Helicobacter pylori infection. No correlation was noted with the overall survival rate. The expression of MCAM in stroma showed no correlation with clinical-histopathological parameters and patients' survival. The assessment of MCAM expression is not a useful marker to identify tumor stage nor it is a prognostic factor of gastric cancer. However, this protein may contribute to the process of desmoplastic stroma formation and be involved in the mechanism of inflammatory reaction.