Microvessel density is a prognostic marker of human gastric cancer

INTRODUCTIONGastric cancer is one of the most frequent and lethal malignancies worldwide, especially in Eastern Asia including China, and the 5-year survival rate is only about 20%[1]. A recent research has shown an increasing trend of gastric cancer mortality in China in the past 20 years, especially in rural areas and among aged people[2]. To date, the treatment outcome of this common malignancy is still not satisfactory. One major difficulty in the diagnosis and treatment of gastric c…     

Clinicopathological and prognostic significance of galectin-1 and vascular endothelial growth factor expression in gastric cancer

AIM: To evaluate the expression of galectin-1 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in gastric cancer and investigate their relationships with clinicopathologic factors and prognostic significance. METHODS: Galectin-1 and VEGF were immunohistochemically investigated in tumor samples obtained from 214 gastric cancer patients with all tumor stages. Immunohistochemical analyses for galectin-1 and VEGF expression were performed on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections of surgical specimens. The relationship between the expression and staining intensity of galectin-1 and VEGF, clinicopathologic variables, and patient survival were analyzed. All patients underwent follow-up until cancer-related death or more than five years after tumor resection. P values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.RESULTS: Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated that 138 of 214 gastric cancer samples (64.5%) were positive for galectin-1, and 116 out of 214 gastric cancer samples (54.2%) were positive for VEGF. There was a significant association between galectin-1 and VEGF expression; VEGF was detected in 60.1% of galectin-1-positive samples and 43.4% of galectin-1-negative samples (P < 0.05). Galectin-1 expression was associated with tumor size, tumor location, stage, lymph node metastases, and VEGF expression (all P < 0.05). VEGF expression was related to tumor size, stage, and lymph node metastases (all P < 0.05). The 5-year survival rate was 56.6% for galectin-1-positive patients and 69.2% for galectin-1-negative patients, and the prognosis for galectin-1-positive patients was significantly poorer compared with galectin-1-negative patients (χ 2 = 13.880, P = 0.000). The 5-year survival rates for VEGF-positive and VEGF-negative patients were 53.4% and 70.5%, respectively (χ2 = 4.619, P = 0.032). The overall survival rate of patients with both galectin-1 and VEGF overexpression in gastric cancer tissue samples was significantly poorer than other groups (both P < 0.05).CONCLUSION: Galectin-1 expr     

Endocan-expressing microvessel density as a prognostic factor for survival in human gastric cancer

AIM: To investigate the expression of endocan in tumour vessels and the relationships between endocan and the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and prognosis in gastric cancer.METHODS: This study included 142 patients with confirmed gastric cancer in a single cancer centre between 2008 and 2009. Clinicopathologic features were determined, and an immunohistochemical analysis of endocan-expressing microvessel density (MVD) (endocan-MVD), VEGF and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) was performed. Potential relationships between endocan-MVD and clinicopathological variables were assessed using a Student’s t-test or an analysis of variance test. Spearman’s rank correlation was applied to evaluate the relationship between endocan-MVD and the expression of VEGF/VEGFR2. Long-term survival of these patients was analysed using univariate and multivariate analyses.RESULTS: Positive staining of endocan was observed in most of the gastric cancer tissues (108/142) and in fewer of the normal gastric tissues. Endocan-MVD was not associated with gender or histological type (P > 0.05), while endocan-MVD was associated with tumour size, Borrmann type, tumour differentiation, tumour invasion, lymph node metastasis and TNM stage (P < 0.05). According to the Spearman’s rank correlation analysis, endocan-MVD had a positive correlation with VEGF (r = 0.167, P = 0.047) and VEGFR2 (r = 0.410, P = 0.000). The univariate analysis with a log-rank test indicated that the patients with a high level of endocan-MVD had a significantly poorer overall survival rate than those with a low level of endocan-MVD (17.9% vs 64.0%, P = 0.000). The multivariate analysis showed that a high level of endocan-MVD was a valuable prognostic factor.CONCLUSION: Endocan-MVD significantly correlates with the expression of VEGF and VEGFR2 and is a valuable prognostic factor for survival in human gastric cancer.     

大肠癌血管内皮生长因子和新生血管的临床意义研究

目的　探讨血管内皮生长因子 (VEGF)和微血管密度 (MVD)在大肠癌组织中的表达 ,及其与肿瘤血管生成和预后的关系。方法　采用免疫组织化学方法 ,分别用 VEGF抗体和 CD34 因子抗体检测 97例大肠癌组织标本中 VEGF的表达水平和 MVD。结果　 97例大肠癌组织中 6 8例 VEGF阳性表达 ,主要表达于肿瘤细胞浆内 ,在低分化腺癌中的表达量最高 ;VEGF表达与性别、年龄和临床分期无相关性 ;VEGF阳性者和 VEGF阴性者的 MVD值比较有极显著性差异 (P<0 .0 1)。结论　大肠癌组织中 VEGF阳性表达不能作为判断患者预后的独立指标。 VEGF在大肠癌的肿瘤血管生成过程中发挥重要作用 ;MVD可以作为大肠癌患者独立的预后指标     

LKB1和血管内皮生长因子在胃癌组织中的表达及其临床意义

目的探讨LKB1和血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)在胃癌中的表达及临床意义。方法采用免疫组织化学(SP)法检测115例胃癌组织和20例胃正常组织中LKB1和VEGF的表达,并探讨其与胃癌分期、淋巴结转移、Lauren's分型及预后的关系。结果 LKB1在胃癌组织中的阳性率为20.9%,低于正常胃组织中的95.0%(P0.01);VEGF在胃癌组织中的阳性率为64.3%,高于正常胃组织中的5.0%(P0.01)。LKB1在胃癌组织中的低表达与胃癌的TNM分期、淋巴结转移、Lauren's分型及预后有关(P0.05);VEGF在胃癌中的表达与淋巴结转移、远处转移、TNM分期及预后相关(P0.05)。结论 LKB1的低表达与胃癌的发生、发展有关,对胃癌恶性生物学行为的评估及预后判断具有重要的指导意义。     

大肠癌EGFR、HER-2、VEGF表达特点及其对分子靶向治疗的指导意义

目的:探讨大肠癌中表皮生长因子受体(EGFR)、人类表皮生长因子受体-2(HER-2)和血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)的表达特点及其对大肠癌分子靶向治疗的指导意义.方法:随机选取2005-05/2009-03中国人民解放军空军总医院普通外科行根治性手术的大肠癌患者78例. 应用免疫组织化学法检测大肠癌肿瘤组织中EGFR、HER-2、VEGF的表达, 并结合其临床病理特点进行回顾性分析.结果:EGF R、HE R-2、VEGF在大肠癌中的阳性表达率依次为38 . 5%( 30 / 78 ) 、53.8%(42/78)、41.0%(32/78). 三者的表达与性别、年龄、肿瘤部位、分化类型无关, 而与肿瘤的大小、侵袭深度和转移密切相关.EGFR与HER-2及VEGF, HER-2与VEGF在大肠癌肿瘤组织中表达呈正相关(r = 0.421,0.484, 0.469, P = 0.019, 0.012, 0.016).结论:EGFR、HER-2、VEGF的表达参与大肠癌的生长、侵袭和转移过程. 三者的联合检测可作为判断大肠癌预后、筛选高危转移患者的有效指标, 同时, 也可用于指导大肠癌的靶向药物治疗.     

Vascular endothelial growth factor expression in pN2 non-small cell lung cancer: lack of prognostic value

OBJECTIVE: Although several previous studies have investigated the prognostic significance of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in non-small cell lung (NSCL) cancer, no previous study has concentrated on NSCL cancer with pathologically abnormal mediastinal nodes (pN2). METHODOLOGY: A total of 60 patients with pN2 NSCL cancer who had undergone a complete resection with a systematic mediastinal lymph node dissection were reviewed retrospectively. Immunohistochemical examination, using antibodies against VEGF, was conducted. The prognostic significance of VEGF expression and clinicopathological factors were analysed. RESULTS: The overall 5-year survival rate was 21.7%. With respect to clinicopathological factors, single N2 involvement and skip metastasis were significantly associated with patients' survival. Expression of VEGF was found in 35/60 (58.3%) patients. VEGF expression was not related to the clinicopathological parameters examined. There was no relationship between survival rates and patients positive and negative for VEGF. Multivariate analysis showed that single N2 disease was an independent prognostic factor, while VEGF expression was not. CONCLUSIONS: Although VEGF expression might be important for tumour development and maintenance, no prognostic significance of VEGF expression in pN2 NSCL cancer was found.     

VEGF及C-erbB-2蛋白在NSCLC患者肿瘤组织中的表达及意义

目的探讨血管内皮生长因子（VEGF）及表皮生长因子受体-2（C-erbB-2）表达在非小细胞肺癌（NSCLC）发病中的作用及对患者预后的影响。方法采用免疫组织化学法,对病理确诊的86例NSCLC患者肿瘤组织中VEGF及C—erbB-2蛋白表达进行检测,并与癌旁组织及正常组织进行对比;分析两种指标表达水平与肿瘤临床病理特征及患者预后的关系。结果VEGF及C-erbB-2蛋白在癌旁组织及正常组织中均无或低表达,VEGF在NSCLC肿瘤组织中阳性表达率为52．3％、与肿瘤组织学分级有关,C-erbB-2在NSCLC肿瘤组织中阳性表达率为43．0％、与肿瘤组织学类型及组织学分级有关;VEGF表达阳性及C—erbB-2表达阳性者总生存时间均显著低于阴性者,两者均为影响NSCLC患者预后的独立因素。结论VEGF和C—erbB-2表达在NSCLC发生、发展中具有重要作用,为影响预后的独立因素;临床可有针对性地使用靶向治疗药物。     

Immunohistochemical assessment of angiogenesis in hepatocellular carcinoma and surrounding cirrhotic liver tissues

AIM: To investigate whether vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was over-expressed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) or in surrounding cirrhotic liver tissues. METHODS: Immunohistochemistry was performed to investigate the expression of VEGF proteins in HCC tissues from 105 consecutive patients undergoing curative resection for HCC. The immunostaining results and related clinicopathologic materials were analyzed with statistical methods. Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate survival curves, and Log-rank test was performed to compare differences in survival rates of the patients with positive HCC staining and negative VEGF. RESULTS: VEGF-positive expression was found in 72 of 105 HCC patients (68.6%). Capsular infiltration (P= 0.005), vascular invasion (P= 0.035) and intrahepatic metastasis (P=0.008) were observed more frequently in patients with VEGF-positive expression than in those with VEGF-negative.expression. Kaplan-Meier curves showed that VEGF-positive expression was associated with a shorter overall survival (P= 0.014). VEGF-positive expression was found in 47 of tissues 68 HCC (69.1%), and VEGF-positive expression was found in 54 of 68 surrounding cirrhotic liver tissues (79.4%). VEGF-positive expression was significantly higher in surrounding cirrhotic liver tissues than in HCC (P=0.017). CONCLUSION: VEGF may play an important role in the angiogenesis and prognosis of HCC, as well as in the angiogenesis of liver cirrhosis.     

Increased expression of DLX2 correlates with advanced stage of gastric adenocarcinoma

AIM:To investigate the expression of distal-less homeobox 2 (DLX2) in gastric adenocarcinoma and its clinicopathological significance. METHODS:Gastric adenocarcinoma tissues were obtained from gastrectomy specimens of 129 patients from the Department of Surgery and Pathology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University. Sixty cases of normal gastric tissues were collected from gastrectomy specimens of adjacent gastric cancer margins greater than 5 cm. Patient diagnosis was established pathologically, and no patient had received chemotherapy or radiotherapy before surgery. All tissue specimens were formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded. Immunohistochemistry was carried out to investigate the expression of DLX2 in 129 gastric adenocarcinoma tissues and 60 adjacent normal tissues. The immunos-taining reaction was semiquantitatively evaluated based on the proportion of positive cells and the median staining intensity in normal gastric epithelial cells or tumor cells. All patients had follow-up records for more than 5 years. Correlations of DLX2 expression with clinicopathological features and prognosis of patients with gastric adenocarcinoma were analyzed. All statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS 17.0 software. RESULTS:The positive expression of DLX2 was detected in 68 (52.7%) cases of 129 gastric adenocarcinoma tissues and 14 (23.3%) cases of 60 adjacent normal tissues. The difference in DLX2 expression between gastric adenocarcinoma tissues and adjacent normal tissues was statistically significant (Ⅹ2 = 14.391, P < 0.001). Moreover, high expression of DLX2 was detected in 48 (37.2%) cases of 129 human gastric cancer tissues, but not in adjacent normal tissues. The expression of DLX2 correlated with the size of tumor (P = 0.001), depth of invasion (P = 0.008), lymph node metastasis (P = 0.023) and tumor-node-metastasis stages (P = 0.020), but was not correlated with age, gender, histological differentiation and distant metastasis. The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed that s     

CDX2和EGFR的表达与胃癌生物学行为关系的研究

目的 探讨胃癌组织中尾型同源盒转录因子-2(CDX2)、表皮生长因子受体(EGFR)的表达与胃癌临床病理的关系.方法 收集胃癌组织及相应配对癌旁组织标本各50例,采用免疫组化方法检测CDX2、EGFR的表达,分析其表达与胃癌临床病理参数的关系及意义.结果 胃癌组织中CDX2和EGFR表达率分别为78.0%和52.0%,...     

胃癌组织中VEGF、HER-2/neu的研究

目的 研究血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)和表皮生长因子受体2(HER-2/neu)在胃腺癌组织中的表达及其与胃癌各临床病理特征、胃癌患者生存期之间的关系.方法 通过回顾性研究,随访到有103例完整生存期的胃癌患者,应用免疫组化方法检测他们标本中VEGF、HER-2/neu的表达,并应用统计学方法分析检测结果与临床病理特征、生存期之间的关系.结果 胃癌组织中VEGF、HER-2/neu的阳性表达率分别为46.6%、31.1%,胃正常组织中二者均无表达;VEGF、HER-2/neu表达与肿瘤的浸润深度、病理分期、淋巴结转移、远处转移相关(P<0.05);VEGF与HER-2/neu阳性表达与生存期相关.结论 检测胃癌组织中VEGF、HER-2/neu表达有助于临床判断患者预后.     

血管内皮、碱性成纤维细胞生长因子表达与非小细胞肺癌患者生存期的关系

目的 探讨血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)、碱性成纤维细胞生长因子(bFGF)在非小细胞肺癌(NSCLC)中的表达及其与患者生存期的关系。方法 应用免疫组织化学方法检测96例NSCLC组织中VEGF、bFGF蛋白水平的表达，并探讨二者表达与患者生存期的关系。结果 NSCLC中VEGF、bFGF表达阳性率分别为51．0％(49／96)和58．3％(56／96)，二者具有相关性(P=0．041)，与患者生存期之间无统计学意义。结论 VEGF、bFGF在NSCLC血管形成中起重要作用，但不是NSCLC独立的预后因素。     

甲状腺增殖性疾患组织表皮生长因子及其受体的表达

目的　探讨表皮生长因子 (EGF)及其受体 (EGFR)在甲状腺增殖性疾患中的表达及其作用。方法　应用免疫组化ABC染色方法观察 70例甲状腺组织切片EGF及EGFR的表达。结果(1)EGF在正常、肿瘤及非肿瘤组织中几乎均无表达。 (2 )乳头状、滤泡型甲状腺癌及其混合癌EGFR阳性表达高于非癌疾患及正常组织 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,阳性表达程度以强阳性为主。 (3)在正常组织、良性腺瘤、结节性甲状腺肿及桥本病 ,弱或中度的EGFR阳性表达率各组间差异无显著性。正常组织阳性表达率虽高达 83.3 % ,但 2 / 3表达为弱阳性。 (4 )乳头状甲状腺癌以细胞浆表达EGFR占优势 ,滤泡型及混合型甲状腺癌主要为混合着色 ,但与非癌混合着色不同的是多数以胞浆表达占优势 ;良性疾患以混合染色为主 ,但结节性甲状腺肿以膜着色居多。正常组织为浆、膜混合着色。结论　 (1)对EGFR强阳性表达尤其细胞浆为主者应高度疑及甲状腺癌。 (2 )各甲状腺良性疾患均有不同程度EGFR表达 ,虽无统计学意义上的差别 ,却可说明EGFR对于良性肿瘤及非肿瘤增殖性疾患的生成均有不应忽视的作用。     

血管内皮生长因子表达与肺癌预后的相关性研究

目的　研究血管内皮生长因子（ 以下简称 Ｖ Ｅ Ｇ Ｆ） 表达与肺癌的预后相关性。方法　应用 Ｓ Ｐ 免疫组化方法研究 Ｖ Ｅ Ｇ Ｆ 在６０ 例肺癌患者组织中的表达。结果　 Ｖ Ｅ Ｇ Ｆ 阳性表达率为６０ ％ , Ｖ Ｅ Ｇ Ｆ阳性表达主要出现在肺癌组织中癌细胞胞浆内, Ｖ Ｅ Ｇ Ｆ 表达与肺癌的淋巴结转移、复发有关：其中 Ｎ１ 、 Ｎ２（ ＋ ） 组 Ｖ Ｅ Ｇ Ｆ 阳性率分别为５３ ％ 、８０ ％ ,高于 Ｎ０ 组（２３ ％ , Ｐ＜ ００１） , Ｖ Ｅ Ｇ Ｆ 阳性表达率在肺癌复发组（８０ ％ ） 高于无复发组（５３ ％ , Ｐ＜ ００５） ;３ 、５ 年生存率 Ｖ Ｅ Ｇ Ｆ（ ＋ ） 与 Ｖ Ｅ Ｇ Ｆ（ － ） 组分别为３１ ％ 、１１ ％ 和８８ ％ 、５０ ％ ;术后生存时间 Ｖ Ｅ Ｇ Ｆ 表达（ ＋ ） 组远低于 Ｖ Ｅ Ｇ Ｆ 表达（ － ） 组（ 分别为３１ ±７ 月,６４ ±７月, Ｐ＜ ００５） 。结论　 Ｖ Ｅ Ｇ Ｆ是促进肺癌组织血管生成的关键因素,是预测肺癌患者预后的重要指标。     

Correlation of integrin β3 mRNA and vascular endothelial growth factor protein expression profiles with the clinicopathological features and prognosis of gastric carcinoma

AIM: To investigate integrin 133 mRNA and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) protein expression in gastric carcinoma, and its correlation with microvascular density, growth-pattern, invasion, metastasis and prognosis. METHODS: In situ hybridization(ISH) of integrin β3 mRNA and immunohistochemistry of VEGF and CD34 protein were performed on samples from 118 patients with gastric cancer. RESULTS: The positive rate of integrin 133 mRNA in non- tumor gastric mucosa (20%) was significantly lower than that of the gastric cancer tissue (52.5%, x2 = 10.20, P ＜ 0.01). In patients of infiltrating type, stage T3-T4, vessel invasion, lymphatic metastasis, hepatic or peritoneal metastasis, the positive expression rates of integrin β3 mRNA were significantly higher than those in patients of expanding type (P ＜ 0.01), stage T1-T2 (P ＜ 0.01), non-vessel invasion (P ＜ 0.01), without lymphatic metastasis (P ＜ 0.01), without hepatic and peritoneal metastasis (P ＜ 0.01), respectively. In patients of infiltrating type, stage T3-T4, vessel invasion, lymphatic metastasis, hepatic or peritoneal metastasis, the positive expression rates of VEGF protein were significantly higher than those in patients of expanding type (P ＜ 0.01), stage T1-T2 (P ＜ 0.01), non-vessel invasion (P ＜ 0.01), without lymphatic metastasis (P ＜ 0.01), without hepatic and peritoneal metastasis (P ＜ 0.01), respectively. In patients of infiltrating type, stage T3-T4, vessel invasion, lymphatic metastasis, hepatic or peritoneal metastasis, the mean MVD were significantly higher than those in patients of expanding type (P ＜ 0.01), stage T1-T2 (P ＜ 0.01), non-vessel invasion (P ＜ 0.01), without lymphatic metastasis (P ＜ 0.01), without hepatic and peritoneal metastasis (P ＜ 0.01), respectively. It was found that the positive expression rate of integrin β3 mRNA was positively related to that of VEGF protein (P ＜ 0.01) and MVD (P ＜ 0.05), meanwhile the positive expression rate of VEGF protein was positively related to NVD (P ＜ 0.05). The mean survival period in patients with positive expression of integrin β3 mRNA and VEGF, and MVD ≥ 54.9/mm2 was significantly shorter than that in patients with negative expression of integrin β3 mRNA (P ＜ 0.05) and VEGF (P ＜ 0.01), and MVD ＜ 54.9/mm2 (P ＜ 0.01). Five-year survival rate in patients with positive expression of integrin β3 mRNA and VEGF, and MVD ≥ 54.9/mm2 was significantly lower than those with negative expression of integrin β3 mRNA (P ＜ 0.05), VEGF (P ＜ 0.05), and NVD ＜ 54.9/mm2 (P ＜ 0.01). CONCLUSION: Integrin β3 and VEGF expression can synergistically enhance tumor angiogenesis, and may play a crucial role in invasion and metastasis of gastric carcinoma. Therefore, they may be prognostic biomarkers and novel molecular therapeutic targets.     

Correlation of integrin β3 mRNA and vascular endothelial growth factor protein expression profiles with the clinicopathological features and prognosis of gastric carcinoma

AIM： To investigate integrin β3 mRNA and vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） protein expression in gastric carcinoma, and its correlation with microvascular density, growth-pattern, invasion, metastasis and prognosis. METHODS： In situ hybridization（ISH） of integrin β3 mRNA and immunohistochemistry of VEGF and CD34 protein were performed on samples from 118 patients with gastric cancer. RESULTS： The positive rate of integrin β3 mRNA in non-tumor gastric mucosa （20%） was significantly lower than that of the gastric cancer tissue （52.5%, X^2 = 10.20, P 〈 0.01）. In patients of infiltrating type, stage T3-T4, vessel invasion, lymphatic metastasis, hepatic or peritoneal metastasis, the positive expression rates of integrin β3 mRNA were significantly higher than those in patients of expanding type （P 〈 0.01）, stage T1-T2 （P 〈 0.01）, non-vessel invasion （P 〈 0.01）, without lymphatic metastasis （P 〈 0.01）, without hepatic and peritoneal metastasis （P 〈 0.01）, respectively. In patients of infiltrating type, stage T3-T4, vessel invasion, lymphatic metastasis, hepatic or peritoneal metastasis, the positive expression rates of VEGF protein were significantly higher than those in patients of expanding type （P 〈 0.01）, stage T1-T2 （P 〈 0.01）, non-vessel invasion （P 〈 0.01）, without lymphatic metastasis （P 〈 0.01）, without hepatic and peritoneal metastasis （P 〈 0.01）, respectively. In patients of infiltrating type, stage T3-T4, vessel invasion, lymphatic metastasis, hepatic or peritoneal metastasis, the mean MVD were significantly higher than those in patients of expanding type （P 〈 0.01）, stage T1-T2 （P 〈 0.01）, non-vessel invasion （P 〈 0.01）, without lymphatic metastasis （P 〈 0.01）, without hepatic and peritoneal metastasis （P 〈 0.01）, respectively. It was found that the positive expression rate of integrin β3 mRNA was positively related to that of VEGF protein （P 〈 0.01） and MVD （P 〈 0.05）,     

Correlation between expression of leptin and clinicopathological features and prognosis in patients with gastric cancer

BACKGROUND: The relationship between the expression of leptin in the tissue of gastric cancer and the clinicopathological features as well as patients' outcome were investigated. METHODS: Sixty-one gastric cancer specimens were investigated by immunohistochemical studies with anti-leptin and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) antibodies and by monitoring patients for at least 3 years after surgery. RESULTS: A positive rate of leptin expression was significantly associated with Borrmann classification (Borrmann type 1 and type 2 68.2% vs Borrmann type 3 and type 4 or unclassified 35.3%), tumor histology (well differentiated tumors 87.5% vs poorly differentiated tumors 48.9%), lymph node metastasis (with 69.0% vs without 36.8%) and stage (stage III + IV 69.0% vs stage I + II 36.8%).There was a significant association between leptin expression and VEGF expression. In the poorly differentiated group, the overall survival rate for patients with a weak expression of leptin (histochemistry score <0.5) was significantly higher than that in patients with a strong expression (histochemistry score =0.5). The Cox proportional hazards model identified serosal involvement, tumor size, metastasis, tumor histology, leptin expression, lymph node metastasis, age and postoperative chemotherapy as significant prognostic factors. CONCLUSIONS: The expression of leptin in the tissue of gastric cancer was significantly associated with tumor histology, Borrmann classification, lymph node metastasis and stage of gastric cancer. In patients with poorly differentiated gastric cancer, a poor prognosis was found in those with a strong expression of leptin.