Conclusion
Vav1 performs important functions in the aggressiveness of GC, and Vav1 may serve as a novel prognostic factor in GC.
Methods
The protein expression of Vav1 was analyzed by immunohistochemistry in formalin-fixed samples obtained from 105 GC patients.
Results
Positive Vav1 expression was correlated with larger tumor size and more lymph node metastasis (P<0.05) in GC tissues. Serosal invasion (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.764, P = 0.007), lymph node metastasis (HR = 1.298, P = 0.002) and Vav1 expression (HR = 0.436, P = 0.006) were identified as independent factors of the overall survival (OS) of GC patients. For advanced GC patients, lymph node metastasis (HR = 1.310, P = 0.003) and Vav1 expression (HR = 0.443, P = 0.010) were the independent prognostic factors of OS.