AKR1B10, a good prognostic indicator in gastric cancer

Background and objectivesThe aim of the study was to investigate the correlation between AKR1B10 expression and clinicopathological features of gastric cancer (GC).MethodsReal-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed to determine AKR1B10 mRNA expression. AKR1B10 protein levels were measured by immunohistochemistry.ResultsRT-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.ConclusionsExpression 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.