AKR1B10, a good prognostic indicator in gastric cancer

Abstract Background and objectives The aim of the study was to investigate the correlation between AKR1B10 expression and clinicopathological features of gastric cancer (GC). Methods Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed to determine AKR1B10 mRNA expression. AKR1B10 protein levels were measured by immunohistochemistry. Results RT-PCR analysis confirmed that AKR1B10 was significantly down-regulated in gastric cancer compared with paired, normal mucosa. Immunohistochemistry revealed that the percentage of AKR1B10-positive specimens was lower in gastric carcinoma compared with normal specimens. The frequency of AKR1B10-positive GC specimens was higher in patients with tumor size Conclusions Expression of AKR1B10 in gastric cancer was significantly associated with tumor size, lymph node metastasis, distance metastasis and TNM stage, and AKR1B10 may be a good prognostic indicator in gastric cancer.