Expression and Clinical Significance of SHP2 in Gastric Cancer

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the expression and clinical significance of the protein tyrosine phosphatase, nonreceptor type 11 (PTPN11 or SHP2) gene, which encodes Src homology 2 domain-containing phosphatase (SHP-2) in gastric cancer. METHODS: SHP2 expression was detected by immunohistochemical staining and real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction in tissue samples of normal gastric mucosa and different grades of gastric cancer. Correlation between SHP2 expression and standard clinico pathological parameters was analysed. RESULTS: Immunohistochemical staining revealed significantly higher rates of SHP2 expression in gastric cancer tissues (72.5%) versus normal gastric mucosa (21.9%). SHP-2 mRNA levels were also significantly higher in gastric cancer tissues versus normal gastric mucosa. SHP2 expression correlated significantly with tumour differentiation, clinical classification and lymph node metastases, but was independent of sex and age. CONCLUSIONS: SHP-2 is upregulated in gastric cancer and may be related to the development of gastric cancer. SHP-2 may be a potential prognostic marker of, or a therapeutic target for, gastric cancer.