In:
The International Journal of Biological Markers, SAGE Publications, Vol. 26, No. 2 ( 2011-04), p. 124-128
Abstract:
Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are mesenchymal tumors with variable malignant potential. Connexin-43 (C×43) is the commonest gap-junction protein and has been frequently investigated in oncology. Our aim was to establish the immunohistochemical expression of C×43 in relation to GIST location, size, Ki67 index, tumor grade and follow-up. Materials and methods The study included postoperative samples of 46 patients treated for GIST in the 1999–2010 time frame. Complete clinical workup was available for 38 patients (82.6%); total surgical resection was carried out in 32 (84.2%) patients, while 13 (34.2%) patients underwent chemotherapy. Median follow-up was 40.7 months (range, 1-134). Results The calculated incidence of GIST in our setting was 11.5 per million. C×43 was expressed in 43/46 (93.5%) GIST cases, with a significant difference between stomach- and small intestine-derived tumors (p=0.006). Ki67 was 10% on average (range, 1–22) and was not correlated with tumor location (p=0.194). C×43 did not show significance with regard to tumor size (p=0.264) or higher tumor grade (p=0.658), as opposed to Ki67, which significantly correlated with both (p=0.0048 and p 〈 0.001, respectively). C×43 and Ki67 were not significantly correlated (p=0.708). Ki67 correlated with time to recurrence (p=0.022). Ki67 〉 11% was taken as the indication to start imatinib chemotherapy (sensitivity 61.5%, specificity 92.0%, p=0.022). Ten (66.7%) of 15 patients with long-term ( 〉 5 years) follow-up were in remission. Conclusion C×43 was frequently expressed in GISTs regardless of tumor site. However, no significant relationships to histopathological parameters suggestive for prognosis were found. Further investigations might clarify the roles of C×43 in GIST oncogenesis.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1724-6008
,
1724-6008
DOI:
10.5301/JBM.2011.8358
Language:
English
Publisher:
SAGE Publications
Publication Date:
2011
detail.hit.zdb_id:
1475778-3
