Conclusions
Vimentin expression in epithelial cells of the surgically resected gastric adenocarcinoma tissue is an independent predictor of short survival, and Her-2 status shows a valuable correlation with clinical parameters.
Methods
Vimentin expression was detected in surgically resected gastric carcinoma tissue specimens from 143 patients by immunohistochemistry. The human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (Her2) status was evaluated by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Correlations between vimentin expression, Her-2 status and clinicopathological factors were evaluated using Kaplan-Meier method and Cox multivariate survival models.
Results
Vimentin expression was significantly correlated with age, advanced stage, poorly differentiated type, venous invasion, hepatic metastasis, and recurrence (p < 0.05). Her-2 gene was amplified in 16 (11.2%) out of the 143 gastric carcinoma tissue specimens. Her-2 status was correlated with advanced cancer, poor differentiation, venous invasion, hepatic metastasis, and recurrence (p < 0.05). The result of multivariate analysis showed that vimentin expression and lymph node metastasis were independent prognostic factors. Conclusions: Vimentin expression in epithelial cells of the surgically resected gastric adenocarcinoma tissue is an independent predictor of short survival, and Her-2 status shows a valuable correlation with clinical parameters.