The prognostic research of expression and relationship between Helicobacter pylori of c-met oncogene correlation with gastric mucosal proliferation

Objective: To determine whether there is a relationship between Helicobacter pylori (Hp) and expression of c-met oncogene and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in gastric mucosal lesions, and prognostic significance of gastric carcinomas(GC).

Methods: Expression of c-met and PCNA were investigated in 145 gastric mucosal lesions by using immunohistochemistry. Hp was examined by Warthin-Starry method.

Results: For chronic superficial gastritis (CSG), chronic atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia (CAS + IM), dysplasia(DYS), early GC and advanced GC, the positive rates of c-met and PCNA were higher in IM, DYS and GC than in CSG (P < 0.05). Expressions of c-met and PCNA increased with the increasing proliferation of gastric mucosa, in rank correlation test, they had a close relationship (P < 0.01). Expressions of c-met and PCNA were correlated significantly with histologic type, serosal invasion and lymph node metastasis. In particular, the expression of c-met and PCNA were significantly higher in Borrmann type 4 GC, type 3 GC and type 1, 2 than in early GC(P < 0.05). By rank correlation test, c-met and PCNA have a close relationship (P < 0.001). Expressions of c-met of Hp positive were higher than Hp negative in intestinal GC (P < 0.05). Expressions of c-met were correlated significantly with Hp positive in CAG + IM, DYS and GC. The survival rate of patients with Hp infection was significantly poorer than that of patients with Hp non-infection.

Conclusions: The expression of c-met may be is associated with proliferation and malignant transformation of gastric mucosa. These results suggest that expression of c-met may be a new prognostic factor in gastric carcinoma. Hp infection and expression of c-met may be associated with in proliferation and malignant transformation of gastric mucosa. Hp infection is associated with prognosis of gastric carcinoma.