Increased expression of sialyl Lewis(x) antigen as a prognostic factor in patients with stage 0, I, and II gastric cancer.

Immunohistochemically detected expression of sialyl Lewis(x) (Le(x)) antigen was analyzed in 101 stage 0-II gastric cancers to clarify its prognostic value after curative gastrectomy. Patients with a high-expression of sialyl Le(x) antigen within their tumors had shorter disease-specific intervals than those with negative- or low-expressing tumors (P<0.0001). This difference was noted particularly in stage I-B or II disease. Multivariate Cox's regression analysis revealed sialyl Le(x) antigen expression to be an independent predictor of disease-specific survival (Hazard ratio=9.10). In conclusion, the increased expression of sialyl Le(x) antigen may serve as a prognostic factor after curative surgery for stages 0-II gastric cancer.