OBJECTIVETo explore the expression of CD133 and CD44 in the primary gastric adenocarcinoma (GAC) and their relationship with the expression of E-cadherin.

METHODSThe expressions of CD133, CD44, and E-cadherin was examined by immunohistochemistry in 145 specimens of GAC tissues and 30 specimens of normal gastric tissues.

RESULTSThe positivity rates of CD133, CD44, and E-cadherin in normal gastric tissues were 10.0%, 0%, and 100%, respectively, showing significant differences from the rates in GAC tissues (46.9%, 47.6%, and 42.8%, respectively) (P<0.05). The expressions of CD133, CD44, and E-cadherin were significantly related with the tumor volume, differentiation, lymph node metastasis, invasive depth, pathologic-tumor-node-metastasis (pTNM) stages, and postoperative-survival time (all P<0.05); a positive correlation was found between the expression of CD133 and CD44, and they were both negatively correlated with E-cadherin expression (P<0.005). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed a significant difference in the survival rate between CD133-positive and CD133-negative patients (P<0.001) and between CD44-positive and CD44-negative patients; the patients with positive expression of E-cadherin had a significantly longer survival than those negative for E-cadherin. Cox regression analysis indicated that CD133, CD44, and E-cadherin expressions were all independent prognostic factors of GAC (all P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe expressions of CD133, CD44, and E-cadherin are related to the tumor volume, differentiation, pTNM stages, invasive depth, lymph node metastasis, and prognosis of GAC, and their combined detection can be of important value in predicting the prognosis of GAC.