Conclusions
High stromal TGFBI expression might be a useful predictive marker for poor prognosis in GC patients. Furthermore, TGFBI in the cancer stromal cells is a promising target for GC treatment.
Methods
The clinical significance of TGFBI was assessed in 208 GC samples using immunohistochemistry. Molecular function of TGFBI in the GC cells was examined by small interfering RNA-mediated TGFBI downregulation in the gastric fibroblasts cocultured with the GC cells.
Results
TGFBI expression was localised mainly in the cancer stroma and not in the noncancerous gastric tissue or the GC cells. High TGFBI expression was significantly associated with poor prognosis and cancer progression. Downregulation of TGFBI in the cocultured gastric fibroblasts inhibited the invasion and migration abilities of the GC cells. Conclusions: High stromal TGFBI expression might be a useful predictive marker for poor prognosis in GC patients. Furthermore, TGFBI in the cancer stromal cells is a promising target for GC treatment.