THE CLINICAL ROLE OF EXPRESSING SIALYL LEWIS ANTIGEN IN GASTRIC CANCER FLOW CYTOMETRIC ANALYSIS

• Published in: Nihon Rinsho Geka Gakkai Zasshi (Journal of Japan Surgical Association) Vol. 62; no. 2; pp. 332 - 340
• Main Authors: ASHIZAWA, Tatsuto, YAMAMOTO, Keiichirou, AOKI, Tatsuya, KATSUMATA, Kenji, SUMI, Tetsuo, KATAYANAGI, Sou, NAGATE, Motoyoshi, OKADA, Kahei, SUZUKI, Keiji, YAMAZAKI, Tatsuyuki, SUZUKI, Kazunobu, KOYANAGI, Yasuhisa
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan Surgical Association 2001
• ISSN: 1345-2843; 1882-5133
• DOI: 10.3919/jjsa.62.2_332

The purpose of this study was to compare the expression of sialyl Lewis antigens on the cell surface between gastric cancer and non-cancer cells and to elucidate possible roles of the antigens in predicting the development of liver metastasis. In addition, the usefulness as a prognostic factor was investigated. Subjects were 25 patients with advanced gastric cancer (nine with and 16 without liver metastasis). We measured sLea and sLex values expressed on the surface of about 10000-30000 cancer cells and non-cancer cells respectively for comparison. Monoclonal antibodies CA19-9 and KM-93 were used to evaluate the frequency and quantity of the expression by flow cytometry. The frequency and quantity of sLea and sLex in cancer cells were statistically higher than those in non-cancer cells (p<0.05). The frequency and quantity of sLea in cancer cells in the liver metastasis group was statistically higher than those in cases without liver metastasis (p<0.01). The values of expression of sLea on the surface of gastric cancer cells by flow cytometry indicated that there was a correlation with the development of liver metastasis (p<0.01). The frequency of sLea expression reflected clinical prognosis (p<0.05), and comparing to histopathological prognostic factors, it appeared to be superior to lymph node metastasis or depth of tumor invasion. It is strongly suggested that these values may be useful in evaluating the grade of malignancy.