Objective:To explore the role of DKK-1 andβ-catenin expressions in progression of proximal gastric cancer (PGC). Methods:The expression of DKK-1 andβ-catenin in 61 cases with PGC and para-neoplastic tissues and 20 cases with normal gastric mucosa was detected by immunohistochemistry. The related clinical significance in the cases was studied. Results:The positive expression rate of DKK-1 and the abnormal expression rate ofβ-catenin in the tissue sections of PGC were 34.4%(21/61) and 68.9%(42/61), respectively. The positive expression rate of DKK-1 and the abnormal expression rate ofβ-catenin in para-carcinoma tissues were 8.2%(5/61) and 6.6%(4/61) , respectively. The positive expression rate of DKK-1 and the abnormal expression rate ofβ-catenin in normal gastric mucosa were 15.0%(3/20) and 10.0%(2/20), respectively. The expression rate was significantly higher in PGC than that in the other tissues (P<0.05). The expression of DKK-1 was positively related to that ofβ-catenin in PGC (r=0.454, P<0.05), but not in the others. Conclusion:Higher expressions of DKK-1 and the abnormal expression ofβ-catenin are closely related to the occurrence of PGC.