[Connexin 43 expression in intraperitoneal free gastric cancer cells in patients with gastric cancer].

Objective: To examine the association of connexin 43 (Cx43) in the intraperitoneal free gastric cancer cells and clinicopathological characteristics.

Methods: Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence staining were used to detect connexin 43 in 75 paraffin-embedded gastric cancer tissues, matched paracancerous tissue, and intraperitoneal free gastric cancer cells.

Results: The positive rates of Cx43 expression were 33.3% (25/75) in gastric cancer tissue specimens and 100% (75/75) in matched paracancerous tissue (P<0.01). The positive detection rate of free cancer cells in peritoneal lavage was 38.6% (29/75) and the positive rate of Cx43 in peritoneal free gastric cancer cells was 72.4% (21/29), which was significantly higher than that in gastric cancer tissue specimens (P<0.01). Significant association was observed of Cx43 expression of free gastric cancer cells with tumor infiltration and histological type (P<0.05).

Conclusion: Cx43 gene may be involved in the mechanism of peritoneal metastasis of gastric cancer.