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Abstract Background The putative tumor metastasis suppressor 1(MTSS1) is an actin-binding scaffold protein that has been implicated to play an important role in carcinogenesis and cancer metastasis, yet its role in the development of gastric cancer has not been well illustrated. In this study, we detected MTSS1 expression and explored its clinical significance in gastric cancer. Methods Immunohistochemistry was performed using tissue microarrays containing gastric adenocarcinoma specimens from 1,072 Chinese patients with normal adjacent mucosa, primary gastric cancer and lymph node (LN) metastasis and specific antibody against MTSS1. MTSS1 mRNA and protein expression were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting. The clinical follow-up was done in the 669 patients living in Shanghai that was chose from the 1072 cases. Results Complete loss of MTSS1 expression was observed in 751 cases (70.1%) of the 1,072 primary tumors and 103 (88%) of 117 nodal metastases; and loss of MTSS1 expression was significantly associated with poorly differentiated tumors, large tumor size, deep invasion level, the presence of nodal metastases and advanced disease stage. Moreover, multivariate analysis demonstrated that loss of MTSS1 expression correlated significantly with poor survival rates (RR = 0.194, 95% CI = 0.144-0.261, P < 0.001). Conclusions MTSS1 expression decreased significantly as gastric cancer progressed and metastasized, suggesting MTSS1 may serve as a useful biomarker for the prediction of outcome of gastric cancer.

Background: SNAT1 is a subtype of the amino acid transport system A that has been implicated to play a potential role in cancer development and progression, yet its role in breast cancer remains unclear. In present study, we detected SNAT1 expression in breast cancers and explored its underlying mechanism in promoting breast carcinogenesis.Methods: RT-PCR and Western blotting were performed to analyze the transcription and protein levels of SNAT1 in breast cancer cell lines and fresh tissues. Tissue microarray blocks containing breast cancer specimens obtained from 210 patients were constructed. Expression of SNAT1 in these specimens was analyzed using immunohistochemical studies. SNAT1 was down-regulated by SNAT1-shRNA in breast cancer cells and the functional significance was measured.Results: SNAT1 was up-regulated in breast cancer cell lines and breast cancer tissues. Overexpression of SNAT1 was observed in 127 cases (60.5%). Expression of SNAT1 was significantly associated with tumor size, nodal metastasis, advanced disease stage, Ki-67, and ER status. Suppression of endogenous SNAT1 leads to cell growth inhibition, cell cycle arrest, and apoptosis of 4T1 cells and lowered the phosphorylation level of Akt. SNAT1 expression correlated significantly with p-Akt expression in human breast cancer samples.Conclusions: The cross-talk between Akt signaling and SNAT1 might play a critical role in the development and progression of breast cancer, providing an important molecular basis for novel diagnostic markers and new attractive targets in the treatment of breast cancer patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/aims: Lymphangiogenesis and angiogenesis are essential for cancer metastasis. The aim of this study was to assess lymphatic microvessel density and microvessel density in human gallbladder carcinoma tissues, detect their correlation with the tumor's clinical pathological properties and evaluate their utilities for resection of gallbladder tumor., Methodology: Tissue microarray blocks containing primary gallbladder cancer and adjacent normal tissue specimens obtained from 118 patients with gallbladder carcinoma were constructed. Lymphatic microvessel density and microvessel density were quantified using immunohistochemistry. Survival was determined using univariate and multivariate analysis., Results: Microvessel density correlated with tumor stage and liver metastasis (p < 0.01). Lymphatic microvessel density correlated with tumor stage (p < or = 0.01) and lymph node metastasis (p < or = 0.05).There was a very weak correlation between microvessel density and lymphatic microvesseldensity (p < 0.05, r = 0.282). In univariate and multivariate analysislymphatic microvessel density and microvessel density were independent prognostic factors., Conclusions: Lymphangiogenesis and angiogenesis played important rolein theprocesses of metastasis of gallbladder carcinoma. Measurements of lymphatic microvessel density and microvessel density can be used to estimate gallbladder cancer metastatic risk and provide some useful information for gallbladder carcinoma surgery.