[Expression of tumor marker CDw75 and its clinical impact in gastric carcinoma].

Background & Objective: Tumor-associated expression of sialylated glycoconjugates was found to be closely associated with aggressive behavior and increased metastatic potential of malignant cells. The CDw75 (cluster of differentiation antigen 75) epitope is a sialylated carbohydrate determinant generated by beta-galactosyl alpha 2, 6-sialyltransferase. This study was designed to investigate the expression of CDw75 in gastric carcinoma and normal gastric mucosa, and the relationship between its expression and the infiltration, metastasis, and clinical stage of gastric cancer.

Methods: The expression of CDw75 antigen in 54 cases of gastric carcinoma and normal gastric mucosa was detected using immunohistochemical method. The percentage of CDw75 positive cells was counted through the computer analysis of picture.

Results: There was no expression of CDw75 antigen in normal gastric mucosa, while positive staining was detected in 26 (48.1%) of the 54 gastric cancer (P < 0.05). The expression of CDw75 antigen was significantly associated with invasive depth, TNM stage, and lymph node metastasis (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).

Conclusion: The expression of CDw75 in tumor tissue may be a new marker of the biological behavior of gastric carcinoma.