Expression of KAI1, nm23 and P53 in Gastric Carcinoma and Their Clinical Significances

AIM: To investigate the expression of KAI1, nm23 and P53 protein as well as their significances in the development of gastric carcinoma.

METHODS: The expression of KAI1, nm23 and P53 protein were detected by SP immunohistochemistry in gastric atypical hyperplasia (n = 65), gastric carcinoma (n = 74) and normal gastric tissues (n = 22).

RESULTS: The positive rates of KAI1 and nm23 protein expression were decreased with the malignancy of gastric tissues, and there were significantly differences between normal gastric tissues, atypical hyperplasia and carcinoma (KAI1: χ² = 20.885, P < 0.001; nm23: χ² = 29.133, P < 0.05), while the positive rate of P53 protein expression was in the opposite tendency (χ² = 21.954, P < 0.001). The expression of KAI1, nm23 and P53 protein were notably correlated with the depth of invasion, lymph nodes metastasis and vessel invasion (χ² = 20.885, P < 0.001; χ² = 29.133, P < 0.05; χ² = 21.954, P < 0.001), but they were not correlated with the age and gender of patients. Besides, the expression of KAI1 was positively related to that of nm23 (r = 0.859, P < 0.05), but negatively related to that of P53 (r = -0.859, P < 0.05). Negative correlation was also found between the expression of nm23 and P53 (r = -0.874, P < 0.05)

CONCLUSION: Loss expression of KAI1 and nm23 and over-expression of P53 may play important roles in the progression and lymph node metastasis of gastric carcinoma.