Clinical implications of DLL4 expression in gastric cancer

概要

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Background: Delta-like ligand 4 (DLL4)-Notch signaling plays a key role in tumor neovascular developmentand angiogenesis during tumor growth. The clinical significance of DLL4 expression in gastric cancer has notbeen clarified.Methods: Gastric cancer cell lines and 180 gastric cancer patients were enrolled. DLL4 expression in gastric cancercells and stroma was identified and evaluated immunohistochemically. The association between DLL4 andclinicopathological factors was also assessed.Results: DLL4 expression was identified in the cellular membrane and cytoplasm of gastric cancer cells byimmunoblotting and immunohistochemical staining. DLL4 positivity in cancer cells and stroma was found in 88 (48%)and 41 (22%) of the 180 gastric cancer patients respectively. Both cancer and stromal DLL4 expression significantlycorrelated with more advanced tumor depth, nodal involvement, and lymphatic and venous invasion. A stronglypositive association between cancerous and stromal DLL4 expression was identified (p < 0.01). Both cancerous andstromal DLL4 expression were prognostic markers in gastric cancer as determined by univariate analysis.Conclusions: Cancerous and stromal DLL4 expression was found in 48% and 22% in gastric cancer, and significantlyaffected postoperative clinical outcomes. Cancerous and stromal DLL4 expression may be an effective target of anti-DLL4 treatment in gastric cancer.
BioMed Centralの論文
2013-07-30