Metastasis-associated protein 1 (MTA1) overexpression is closely associated with shorter disease-free interval after complete resection of histologically node-negative esophageal cancer.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the expression of metastasis-associated protein 1 (MTA1) and its relationship to the disease-free interval after resection of pathologic N0 (pN0) esophageal squamous cell cancer (ESCC).
METHODS: The subjects were 90 patients who successfully underwent complete resection of pN0 ESCC between May 2001 and May 2003. Immunohistochemical staining for MTA1 protein was performed using the avidin-biotin peroxidase complex method. Log-rank test was performed to compare the disease-free interval, and Cox regression multivariate analysis was performed to judge independent prognostic factors.
RESULTS: Metastasis-associated protein 1 overexpression was detected in 40 esophageal cancer tissues. Disease-free interval was significantly associated with MTA1 protein overexpression (p = 0.015). The overall 5-year survival rate was 45.6%, the 5-year survival rate of patients with MTA1 protein overexpression was significantly lower than that of those without overexpression (25.0 versus 62.0%; p < 0.001). The results of multivariate analysis confirmed that T status and MTA1 protein overexpression were independent prognostic factors.
CONCLUSIONS: Metastasis-associated protein 1 overexpression was detected in pN0 ESCC and was significantly correlated with shorter disease-free interval. T status and MTA1 protein overexpression were both independent prognostic factors. These findings suggested MTA1 might be a predictor of relapsing phenotype and a prognostic factor in esophageal cancer.