Aberrant expression of CD133 protein correlates with Ki-67 expression and is a prognostic marker in gastric adenocarcinoma

Abstract

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The relationships between the expression of CD133, Ki-67 and prognosis in gastric adenocarcinoma are unknown and needs exploring.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The samples of gastric adenocarcinoma from 336 Chinese patients with follow-up were analyzed for CD133 and Ki-67 protein expressions by immunohistochemical method.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>CD133 was expressed in up to 57.4% (193/336) of this group of gastric carcinoma. The expression of CD133 was significantly higher in carcinoma than in normal (<it>P </it>= 0.0001) and dysplastic mucosas (<it>P </it>= 0.004). CD133 was positive corresponded with the tumour size, grade, infiltrative depth and clinical stage (all <it>P </it>< 0.05). The overall mean survival time of the patients with CD133 positive expression was shorter than that of patients with negative expression (<it>P </it>= 0.0001). The expression of CD133 has a positive correlation with that of Ki-67 (r = 0.188, <it>P </it>= 0.001) in gastric adenocarcinoma. CD133 was an independent prognostic indicator. (<it>P </it>= 0.0001).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>It is suggested that CD133 may play an important role in the evolution of gastric adenocarcinoma and should be considered as a potential marker for the prognosis.</p