Prognostic significance of HER2, p53, Ki67, MVD-CD34, Cox2, MMP7, and vimentin in gastric cancer

Abstract

Background: Gastric cancer (GC) patients have a poor prognosis mainly due to late diagnosis. We aimed to study the prognostic effects of various biomarkers, including HER2, CD34, p53, Ki67, Cox2, MMP7, and vimentin in GC. Methods: We performed immunohistochemistry (IHC) to examine the expression of potential biomarkers in 140 GC patients. CD34 protein expression was quantified to assess angiogenesis through scoring microvessel density (MVD). We used a multivariable Cox-proportional hazard model to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) representing the prognostic role of the biomarkers and the clinicopathological parameters. Results: Patients diagnosed at the advanced tumor stage exhibited a significantly higher risk of mortality than those diagnosed at the early stages (HR = 5.96, CI: 3.73 – 9.51). We also observed higher risks of mortality in patients with high MVD-CD34 (HR = 5.35, CI: 2.36 – 12.12), HER2-positive (HR = 2.82, CI: 1.69 – 4.37), p53-positive (HR = 4.03, CI: 2.53 – 6.4), high Ki67 (HR = 4.34, CI: 2.64 – 7.13), high Cox2 (HR = 4.77, CI: 2.39 – 9.49), high MMP7 (HR = 2.75, CI: 1.53 – 4.94), and high vimentin (HR = 3.78, CI: 1.7 – 8.39) tumors compared to their corresponding reference groups. The association was statistically significant for HER2, p53, Ki67, Cox2, and MVD-CD34 among those diagnosed in an early stage. Conclusion: Overall, evaluation of tumor biomarkers in GC patients can result in more precise estimates of prognosis, especially in early-stage tumors. These biomarkers could potentially be considered for targeted therapy of GC patients to improve their survival.

Keywords

• Gastric cancer
• Immunohistochemistry
• Prognosis
• Tumor Markers