Expression of telomerase gene hTRT and its clinical significance in gastric cancer

Objective To investigate the correlation between the expressions of telomerase gene hTRT (human telomerase reverse transcriptase) and clinical parameters in gastric cancer, and to evaluate the role of detection of hTRT gene in gastric cancer diagnosis. Methods With in situ hybridization, the expression and distribution of telomerase gene hTRT was observed in 57 cases of gastric cancer tissues, 57 cases of tumor-adjacent tissues, 69 cases of benigh lesions.The results were statistically analyzed. Results hTRT was detected in 94.7%(54/57) of gastric cancer, 0%(0/57) in the adjacent tissues, and 2.9% (2/69) in benign lesions.The positive detection rate of hTRT expression in cancer group was significantly different from those in the adjacent tissues and benigh lesions group (both P0.001). The expression of hTRT was correlated with degrees of differientiation and lymph node metastasis (P both0.05),but not with tumor stage (P all05). The expression level of hTRT was correlated with lymph node metastasis(P0.01),but not with degrees of differientiation or tumor stage (P all0.05). Conclusion The detection of telomerase hTRT gene expression may be useful in diagnosis in gastric cancer.