AKR1B10, a good prognostic indicator in gastric cancer

Background and objectives: The aim of the study was to investigate the correlation between AKR1B10 expression and clinicopathological features of gastric cancer (GC). Methods: Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed to determine AKR1B10 mRNA expression. AKR1B10 protein levels were measured by immunohistochemistry. Results: RT-PCR analysis confirmed that AKR1B10 was significantly down-regulated in gastric cancer compared with paired, normal mucosa. Immunohistochemistry revealed that the percentage of AKR1B10-positive specimens was lower in gastric carcinoma compared with normal specimens. The frequency of AKR1B10-positive GC specimens was higher in patients with tumor size <5 cm, no lymph node metastasis, no distant metastasis' and lower tumor stages The mean survival time for patients in the AKR1B10-positive group was significantly higher compared with the AKR1B1-negative group. The 5-year survival rate for the AKR1B10-positive group was also significantly higher than for the AKR1B1-negative group. Cox regression analysis revealed that AKR1B10 expression is an independent prognostic factor of GC. Conclusions: Expression of AKR1B10 in gastric cancer was significantly associated with tumor size, lymph node metastasis, distance metastasis and TNM stage, and AKR1B10 may be a good prognostic indicator in gastric cancer. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.