OBJECTIVETo explore the amplification and expression status of DAPK1 and CD147 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and their relationship with the prognosis of ESCC.

METHODSImmunohistochemical staining and RT-PCR were used to detect the expression and amplification of DAPK1 and CD147 in esophageal squamous carcinoma tissue and normal esophageal mucosa. Statistical analysis of the clinocopathological data was performed with SPSS 11.5 software package.

RESULTSThe positive rates of expression of DAPK1 protein and CD147 protein in the specimens of esophageal carcinoma were 31.3% and 58.5%, and in normal esophageal mucosa 57.5% and 25.0%, respectively, with a statistically significant difference (P < 0.001). The expressions of DAPK1 and CD147 were significant correlated with invasion depth, lymph node metastasis, TNM stage and the degree of cancer differentiation. (P < 0.05). The negative expression of DAPK1 and positive expression of CD147 indicated a poor prognosis. In 52 ESCC cases, the expression of DAPK1 in cancer tissues was 0.236 ± 0.049, and 0.395 ± 0.058 in normal esophageal mucosa, while that of CD147 mRNA expression was 0.942 ± 0.204 and 0.821 ± 171, respectively, statistically both with a very significant difference (P < 0.01). There was a higher expression level of DAPK1 mRNA in the cancer tissue in patients with no lymph node metastasis, well differentiation, and earlier pathological stage, and a higher expression level of CD147 mRNA in the cancer tissues in patients with lymph node metastasis, poor differentiation, and later pathological stage.

CONCLUSIONSThe expression of DAPK1 and CD147 proteins is closely correlated with the clinicopathological characteristics of ESCC. The genes DAPK1 and CD147 may participate in the metastasis and apoptosis of ESCC. The expression of DAPK1 and CD147 may be used as important prognostic predictors in ESCC.