Koide N, Nishio A, Igarashi J, Kajikawa S, Adachi W, Amano J
Second Department of Surgery, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Asahi, Matsumoto, Japan.
Am J Gastroenterol. 1999 Jun;94(6):1658-63. doi: 10.1111/j.1572-0241.1999.01158.x.
Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)-producing gastric cancer has been associated with a poor prognosis. In the present study, the cell proliferation, apoptosis, and angiogenesis of this cancer were studied histochemically to determine its malignant potential.
Tissue samples were taken from four patients with AFP-producing gastric cancer and 26 patients with AFP-negative gastric cancer. Cell proliferation was evaluated by Ki-67 immunostaining, and the Ki-67 labeling index (LI) was determined. Apoptosis was studied by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-biotin nick end labeling method, and the apoptotic index was determined. Angiogenesis was evaluated by measuring the microvessel density using factor VIII immunostaining, and immunostainings for vascular endothelial growth factor and thymidine phosphorylase were performed.
The Ki-67 LI of the AFP-producing gastric cancers was significantly higher than that of the AFP-negative gastric cancers (p < 0.01). The apoptotic index of the AFP-producing gastric cancers was significantly lower than that of the AFP-negative gastric cancers (p < 0.01). The microvessel density of the AFP-producing gastric cancers was significantly higher than that of the AFP-negative gastric cancers (p < 0.01). Vascular endothelial growth factor expression was observed in all four of the AFP-producing gastric cancers, whereas thymidine phosphorylase was not expressed in any of the AFP-producing gastric cancers.
These results suggest that AFP-producing gastric cancers have high malignant potential (high proliferative activity, weak apoptosis, and rich neovascularization) compared with that of AFP-negative gastric cancers. These biological characteristics of AFP-producing gastric cancer reflect the aggressive behavior and the poor prognosis of patients with this type of cancer.
甲胎蛋白（AFP）产生型胃癌与预后不良相关。在本研究中，对该癌症的细胞增殖、凋亡和血管生成进行了组织化学研究，以确定其恶性潜能。
从4例AFP产生型胃癌患者和26例AFP阴性胃癌患者中获取组织样本。通过Ki-67免疫染色评估细胞增殖，并确定Ki-67标记指数（LI）。采用末端脱氧核苷酸转移酶介导的脱氧尿苷三磷酸生物素缺口末端标记法研究凋亡，并确定凋亡指数。通过因子VIII免疫染色测量微血管密度评估血管生成，并进行血管内皮生长因子和胸苷磷酸化酶的免疫染色。
AFP产生型胃癌的Ki-67 LI显著高于AFP阴性胃癌（p<0.01）。AFP产生型胃癌的凋亡指数显著低于AFP阴性胃癌（p<0.01）。AFP产生型胃癌的微血管密度显著高于AFP阴性胃癌（p<0.01）。在所有4例AFP产生型胃癌中均观察到血管内皮生长因子表达，而在任何AFP产生型胃癌中均未检测到胸苷磷酸化酶表达。
这些结果表明，与AFP阴性胃癌相比，AFP产生型胃癌具有较高的恶性潜能（高增殖活性、弱凋亡和丰富的新生血管形成）。AFP产生型胃癌的这些生物学特征反映了这类癌症患者的侵袭性行为和不良预后。
