Significance of p27 expression in gastric carcinoma and precancerous lesion

Objective To evaluate the role of p27 protein in genesis and progre ssion of gastric carcinoma, and the relationship between expression of p27 and b iological behavior of gastric carcinoma. Methods The immunohis tochemical method was used to detect the expression of p27 in superficial gastri tis, atrophic gastritis, intestinal metaplasia, dysplasia and gastric carcinoma specimen. The level of p27 protein in tissues with different types of lesion and its correlation with clinicopathological parameters of gastric carcinoma were a nalyzed. Results The expression level of p27 in gastric carci noma tissues was significantly lower than that of other tissues (P0 . 01), which was correlated with depth of invasion, lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis and TNM stage of gastric carcinoma (P0.01). The express i on of p27 decreased significantly in gastric carcinoma with serosa infiltration, lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis, and late TNM staging. Conc lusions Aberrant expression of p27 is an important molecular mechanism involved in the pathogenesis and progression of gastric carcinoma, which is ass ociated with aggressive characteristics of gastric carcinoma. The assessment of p27 expression may prove valuable in the early diagnosis and judgment of maligna nt degree of gastric carcinoma.