Expression of serum Dickkopf-1 in gastric cancer patients

Objective: To explore the expression and clinical significance of DKK-1 protein in patients with gastric cancers. Methods: Enzyme linked immuno sorbent assay was used to detect expressions of serum DKK-1 protein in 90 cases of gastric cancers,50 cases of gastric benign disease and 40 healthy cases. The dynamic change in scrum DKK-1 protein of gastric cancer patients who accepted radical operation for a month was also observed. Results: The expression of serum DKK-1 protein in gastric cancer groups was significantly higher than that in gastric benign group's (P<0.01) and in health control (P<0.01). Serum DKK 1 level was increased gradually along with the progress of the disease. Serum DKK 1 levels were significantly higher in patients at TNM staging flu and IV than patients at TNM staging I and II. Level of serum DKK-1 was related to microvascular invasion, differentiation degree and infiltration depth. Level of serum DKK-1 was significantly reduced in patients after radical surgery (P<0.01). Conclusions: The expression of serum DKK-1 protein in gastric cancer patients is increased. Level of serum DKK-1 is related to TNM staging, microvascular invasion, differentiation degree and infiltration depth. DKK-1 detection can be used as a reference index in monitoring gastric cancer progress and biological behavior.