The expression and clinical role of p27, cyclin E and Rb protein in gastric carcinoma

Objective: To investigate the expression of p27, cyclin E and Rb protein in gastric carcinoma and the correlation between these proteins expression and the clinico pathological features of gastric carcinoma. Methods: 40 primary gastric carcinoma specimens and tumor sideward mucosa specimens and 10 normal gastric mucosa specimens were immunohistochemically stained for p27, cyclin E and Rb protein expression and their correlation to clinicopathologic data were analysed. Results: There were no statistical differences of P27, cyclin E and Rb protein expression between normal and tumor sideward mucosas. The p27 protein expression in gastric carcinoma was significantly lower than that in non cancerous tissues. In contrast, the cyclin E expression in the cancer tissues was strongly positive. p27 and Rb protein expression were lower than that of non cancerous tissues but the difference had no statistical significance. In addition, the abnormal protein expression of p27, cyclin E and Rb were correlated with some features including histopathological grade, invasive deepness, lymph node metastasis, prognosis and so on. Conclusion: Abnormal protein expression of p27, cyclin E and Rb was considered involving in the origination and/or progression of gastric carcinoma, and might be a useful prognostic indicator in patients with gastris carcinoma.