Caspase-3, a key apoptotic protein, as a prognostic marker in gastric cancer after curative surgery. (April 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Huang, Kuo-Hung; Fang, Wen-Liang; Li, Anna Fen-Yau; Liang, Po-Huang; Wu, Chew-Wun; Shyr, Yi-Ming; Yang, Muh-Hwa
• Is Part Of: International journal of surgery. Volume 52(2018)
• Page Start: 258
• Page End: 263
• Publication Date: 2018-04
• Subjects: Caspase-3 -- Apoptosis -- Gastric cancer; Surgery -- Periodicals; Surgical Procedures, Operative -- Periodicals; 617.005
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijsu.2018.02.055
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1743-9191

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Caspase-3 acts as a major executioner protein in proteolytic degradation during apoptosis. The role of Caspase-3 in gastric cancer remains controversial. Methods: A total of 366 gastric cancer patients who received curative surgery were enrolled. Caspase-3 expression in gastric tumors was examined by immunohistochemical staining. Correlations between Caspase-3 expression and the survival rates and between Caspase-3 expression and the clinicopathological parameters of the gastric cancer patients were analyzed. Results: The 5-year overall survival rates of gastric cancer patients with and without Caspase-3 expression were 51.2% and 37.3%, respectively ( P = 0.030). The 5-year disease-free survival rates of gastric cancer patients with and without Caspase-3 expression were 49.2% and 34.6%, respectively ( P = 0.029). Analyses of the clinicopathological features showed that larger tumor size ( P = 0.030), more advanced Borrmann type ( P = 0.012), more aggressive stromal reaction ( P = 0.001), higher classification using Ming's infiltrating histology type ( P = 0.018), more lymph node involvement ( P = 0.019), and more lymphovascular involvement ( P = 0.045) were significantly correlated with a lack of Caspase-3 expression. The multivariate analysis showed that age ( P = 0.001), Borrmann classification ( P = 0.032), stromal reaction type ( P = 0.018), TNM pathological T category ( P = 0.002), TNM pathological N category ( P < 0.001), and Caspase-3 expression ( P = 0.041) were significantly correlated with the overall survival of gastric cancer patients. Conclusion: Caspase-3 expression in gastric cancer patients is related to favorable clinicopathological features and a positive prognosis after curative surgery. Caspase-3 may act as a tumor suppressor in human gastric cancer. Highlights: Gastric cancer patients with Caspase-3 expression had better survival after curative surgery. Gastric cancer patients with Caspase-3 expression had better clinicopathological features and lower recurrent rate than those without. Caspase-3 could be a potential independent prognostic biomarker in gastric cancer patient.