Prognostic implications of the expression of erbB2, topoisomerase IIα and thymidylate synthase in metastatic gastric cancer after fluorouracil-based therapy

Jacqueline Ming Liu, Li Tzong Chen, Anna F.Y. Li, Chew Wen Wu, Chieh Lan, Tsai Rong Chung, Her Shyong Shiah, Kuan Der Lee, Tsang Wu Liu, Jacqueline Whang Peng

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

12 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objective: This retrospective study aimed to ascertain the expression of erbB2 in relation to topoisomerase IIα (T2α) and thymidylate synthase (TS) markers in 30 consecutive metastatic gastric cancer patients with a specimen available for study. Methods: All patients had been entered on consecutive chemotherapeutic clinical trials that were all 5-fluorouracil based. The specimens were evaluated by fluorescence in situ hybridization to ascertain erbB2 and T2α gene amplification, and by immunohistochemical staining for T2α and TS protein expression. Results: erbB2 amplification was detected in 16.7% of specimens, with co-amplification of the T2α gene in 40%, and 44% had undetectable TS protein expression. Kaplan-Meier survival curves showed significantly prolonged overall survival in patients with erbB2 and T2a gene amplification, T2α protein overexpression and absence of TS protein expression (P = 0.0011, P = 0.0048, P = 0.0061 and P = 0.0267, respectively, by log rank test). There was a positive correlation between erbB2 amplification and T2α amplification, T2α protein overexpression, and a trend towards absence of TS expression (P = 0.0001, P = 0.003 and P = 0.066 by Fisher's exact test). Conclusion: High dose fluorouracil/leucovorin-based chemotherapy may have the potential to reverse the adverse effects resulting from erbB2 gene amplification in gastric cancer.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)727-732
Number of pages6
JournalJapanese Journal of Clinical Oncology
Volume34
Issue number12
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2004
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • erbB2
  • Gastric cancer
  • Survival
  • Thymidylate synthase
  • Topoisomerase IIα

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology
  • Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging
  • Cancer Research

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