Expression of Platelet-derived Growth Factor Receptor Alpha in Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors and Its Clinical Significance

Objective To investigate the expression of platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha(PDGFR-α) in gastrointestinal stromal tumors(GISTs) and its relationship to the clinical pathological characteristics,immunohistochemical types and prognosis of GISTs.Methods A total of 169 patients were chosen,who underwent digestive tract mesenchymoma removals in the 4th Hospital of Hebei Medical University from 1992 to 2002.The obtained sections were microscopically rechecked to confirm 113 patients with GISTs and then compared with 56 non-GISTs patients using immunohistochemistry to detect the expressions of PDGFR-α,PDGFR-β及CD117.Results PDGFR-α were positive in 73 GISTs patients(64 60%).The expression rates of PDGFR-α proteins in very low,intermediate and high risk cases were 43.75%(7/16),79.31%(23/29),62.96%(17/27) and 65.85%(27/41),respectively(P0.05).There was significant difference in PDGFR-αprotein expression rate between GISTs and non-GISTs(P0.05).Conclusion PDGFR-αcombined with CD117 is of great clinical significance in diagnosis of GISTs,especially in diagnosis and differential diagnosis of some GISTs with CD117 negative expressions.But it can not be used as an index of GISTs differentiation.