RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Prognostic significance of p21WAF1/CIP1, p27Kip1, p53 and E-cadherin expression in gastric cancer JF Journal of Clinical Pathology JO J Clin Pathol FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Association of Clinical Pathologists SP 756 OP 761 DO 10.1136/jcp.2006.038976 VO 60 IS 7 A1 Armando Gamboa-Dominguez A1 Stefan Seidl A1 Edgardo Reyes-Gutierrez A1 Christine Hermannstädter A1 Leticia Quintanilla-Martinez A1 Raymonde Busch A1 Heinz Höfler A1 Falko Fend A1 Birgit Luber YR 2007 UL http://jcp.bmj.com/content/60/7/756.abstract AB Background: Gastric carcinoma is characterised by numerous genetic and epigenetic alterations that influence cell cycle progression, apoptosis and DNA repair. These alterations include down-regulation of the cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitors p21WAF1/CIP1 and p27Kip1, and mutations of the tumour suppressor protein p53 and the cell adhesion molecule E-cadherin. Combined evaluation of the prognostic significance of these alterations has not been reported in Mexican Mestizo patients. Aims: To evaluate p21WAF1/CIP1, p27Kip1, p53 and E-cadherin protein expression, including mutant E-cadherin variants with deletion of exon 8 (del 8) or 9 (del 9), in gastric cancer from Mexican patients. Methods: Immunohistochemistry for the above-mentioned markers, including mutation-specific E-cadherin antibodies, was carried out in 69 gastric carcinomas; expression levels were correlated with histotype, tumour stage and prognosis. Results: Expression of p21WAF1/CIP1 alone or in combination with p27Kip1 or in the absence of p53 was associated with favourable prognosis. Staining of del 8 and del 9 E-cadherin was found exclusively in patients negative for p53 and positive for p21WAF1/CIP1, suggesting that the p21WAF1/CIP1 regulatory function of p53 was intact. Conclusion: Combined evaluation of the prognostic significance of cell cycle regulators and E-cadherin should be performed. Even though patients negative for p53 and positive for p21WAF1/CIP1 have a favourable prognosis, it may have a negative influence on prognosis if they acquire in addition E-cadherin mutations which have been shown previously to be associated with poor survival.