BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The onco-protein c-fos was previously linked to favorable prognosis of gastric cancer (GC) without further validations. The present study was designed to address the issue based on a cohort of Chinese patients. METHODS: Expression of c-fos was determined by immunohistochemical staining in specimens from 58 patients with GC who underwent surgical resection. The relationships between c-fos expression and clinicopathological and prognostic variables were further evaluated. RESULTS: Expression of c-fos in tumor epithelia was observed in 39 (67.2%) patients. The protein was also positively expressed in lymphocytes within tumors and para-tumor epithelia. Tumors with positive expression of c-fos in tumor epithelia had a smaller size and marginally earlier T stage in all patients and/or those who underwent curative resection. Univariate analysis showed that patients with positive c-fos expression in tumor epithelia had significantly prolonged overall and tumor-free survival. Cox regression analysis revealed that c-fos expression in tumor epithelia was an independent or potential independent indicator of improved prognosis in different subgroups of patients. Expression of c-fos in para-tumor epithelia and intra-tumor lymphocytes was not associated with clinicopathological variables and long-term outcomes in patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our data demonstrated that c-fos expression was negatively associated with tumor progression and was predictive for favorable survival in patients with GC. Copyright 2010 IMSS. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The onco-protein c-fos was previously linked to favorable prognosis of gastric cancer (GC) without further validations. The present study was designed to address the issue based on a cohort of Chinese patients. METHODS: Expression of c-fos was determined by immunohistochemical staining in specimens from 58 patients with GC who underwent surgical resection. The relationships between c-fos expression and clinicopathological and prognostic variables were further evaluated. RESULTS: Expression of c-fos in tumor epithelia was observed in 39 (67.2%) patients. The protein was also positively expressed in lymphocytes within tumors and para-tumor epithelia. Tumors with positive expression of c-fos in tumor epithelia had a smaller size and marginally earlier T stage in all patients and/or those who underwent curative resection. Univariate analysis showed that patients with positive c-fos expression in tumor epithelia had significantly prolonged overall and tumor-free survival. Cox regression analysis revealed that c-fos expression in tumor epithelia was an independent or potential independent indicator of improved prognosis in different subgroups of patients. Expression of c-fos in para-tumor epithelia and intra-tumor lymphocytes was not associated with clinicopathological variables and long-term outcomes in patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our data demonstrated that c-fos expression was negatively associated with tumor progression and was predictive for favorable survival in patients with GC. Copyright 2010 IMSS. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.