Molecular-Like Classification in Gastric Adenocarcinomas: Correlation with Clinicopathological Features and Prognosis

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Pathology
• Cancer Genomics

Background:

• Gastric cancer classification is complex and costly.
• Need for accessible prognostic tools in gastric cancer management.

Purpose of the Study:

• Establish a molecular-like classification for gastric cancer.
• Correlate this classification with clinicopathological features.
• Investigate its prognostic significance.

Main Methods:

• Utilized immunohistochemistry and FISH on 202 gastric cancer patient samples.
• Classified tumors into EBV-positive (EBV+), microsatellite instability (MSI), genomically stable (GS), chromosomal unstable (CUN), and unclassifiable (G-NOS) groups.
• Analyzed clinicopathological features and survival data.

Main Results:

• Identified distinct associations between molecular-like subtypes and tumor morphology (e.g., EBV+ with high-grade, GS with poorly cohesive).
• Microsatellite instability (MSI) tumors showed least tumor budding, while genomically stable (GS) tumors showed most.
• The EBV+ group had the longest survival, while the GS group had the shortest.

Conclusions:

• A molecular-like classification offers a low-cost, practical method for predicting gastric cancer prognosis.
• Further large-scale molecular studies are needed to validate its role against established molecular classifications.