Loss of B7-1 expression facilitates lymph node metastasis in gastric carcinoma

Objective To investigate the relationship between the loss of B7-1 expression and oncogenesis,and lymph node metastasis in gastric carcinoma.Method Using RT-PCR technique,specimens from 44 patients with gastric cancer were detected their expression of B7-1.Results All normal gastric tissues were detected to have the expression of the B7-1 gene,while 36 out of 44 gastric cancer tissues did not show any detectable B7-1 mRNA expression,there were significant differences between the two groups(χ 2=9.14,P0.05).Furthermore,only one gastric cancer tissues in 35 patients with lymph node metastasis had B7-1 mRNA expression.B7-1 mRNA expression was negatively correlated with lymph node metastasis(χ 2=23.66,P0.05).B7-1 positive isolates had less lymph node metastases than those of B7-1-negative ones(P0.05).Conclusion Loss of B7-1 expression facilitates oncogenesis and lymph node metastasis in gastric carcinoma.