The progression of invasiveness regarding the role of transforming growth factor beta receptor type II in gastric cancer.

AIMS: Transforming growth factor beta (TGF beta) is a potent growth inhibitor of epithelial cells. The expression of TGF beta receptors is required for the effect of TGF beta. In this study, we used immunohistochemistry to demonstrate the roles of the expression of TGF beta type I (T beta R-I) and type II (T beta R-II) receptors in the progression of gastric carcinoma. METHODS: To evaluate the potential prognostic value of T beta R-I and T beta R-II, 158 consecutive gastric cancer tissues specimens obtained over a 3-year period were examined. RESULTS: A total of 50 (32%) and 28 (18%) patients had T beta R-I(+) and T beta R-II(+), respectively. The 5-year survival rates of the patients with T beta R-I(+) and those with T beta R-I(-) were 74% and 71%, respectively. In contrast, the 5-year survival rates of the patients with T beta R-II(+) and those with T beta R-II(-) were 57% and 75%, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The extent of T beta R-II was closely correlated to the macroscopic types based on the Borrmann classification (P<0.01), and curability (P<0.05). However, a significant difference between the 5-year survival rates of the patients with T beta R-II(+) and those with T beta R-II(-) was only obtained in advanced cases (P<0.05) not in either curative cases, non-curative cases, or early cases. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that when T beta R-II expression correlates with the progression of invasiveness in gastric cancer, it may lead to a non-curative resection and a poor prognosis.