Expression profiles of potential target genes in disseminated gastric cancer

Abstract

Objective is the investigation of messenger RNA quantitative expression profiles of potential target genes among disseminated gastric cancer cases. Materials and methods. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction on paired tumor-normal samples. Results. The most frequently (25-41 % of cases) an increased level of messenger RNA in the tumor with respect to normal tissue was observed for the genes of TGF-ß (transforming growth factor ß), NRP-1 (neuropiline 1) and VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) family genes. For the first time a correlation between the expression levels of the three genes: NRP-1, TGF-ß and VEGFR-2, and the inverse correlation of the levels of VEGF and bFGF gene expression were found. Conclusion. The revealed correlation between the expression of TGF-ß, NRP-1 and VEGFR-2 genes is apparently due to the interaction of NRP-1 with the products of two other genes and may be associated with a high metastatic potential of the progressing tumor in disseminated gastric cancer. The observed inverse correlation of the VEGF-A and bFGF gene expression may indicate the stimulation of angiogenesis in the tumor with reduced activity of the VEGF pathway by activating the bFGF signaling pathway. The results obtained should be taken into account under targeted therapy.