Prognostic significance of HER2, p53, Ki67, MVDCD34, Cox2, MMP7, and vimentin in gastric cancer

Gastric cancer (GC) patients have a poor prognosis mainly due to late diagnosis. We aimed to study the prognostic effects of various biomarkers, including HER2, CD34, p53, Ki67, Cox2, MMP7, and vimentin in GC.

We performed immunohistochemistry (IHC) to examine the expression of potential biomarkers in 140 GC patients. CD34 protein expression was quantified to assess angiogenesis through scoring microvessel density (MVD). We used a multivariable Cox-proportional hazard model to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) representing the prognostic role of the biomarkers and the clinicopathological parameters.

Patients diagnosed at the advanced tumor stage exhibited a significantly higher risk of mortality than those diagnosed at the early stages (HR = 5.96, CI: 3.73 – 9.51). We also observed higher risks of mortality in patients with high MVD-CD34 (HR = 5.35, CI: 2.36 – 12.12), HER2-positive (HR = 2.82, CI: 1.69 – 4.37), p53-positive (HR = 4.03, CI: 2.53 – 6.4), high Ki67 (HR = 4.34, CI: 2.64 – 7.13), high Cox2 (HR = 4.77, CI: 2.39 – 9.49), high MMP7 (HR = 2.75, CI: 1.53 – 4.94), and high vimentin (HR = 3.78, CI: 1.7 – 8.39) tumors compared to their corresponding reference groups. The association was statistically significant for HER2, p53, Ki67, Cox2, and MVD-CD34 among those diagnosed in an early stage.

Overall, evaluation of tumor biomarkers in GC patients can result in more precise estimates of prognosis, especially in early-stage tumors. These biomarkers could potentially be considered for targeted therapy of GC patients to improve their survival.