ABSTRACT
Objective: To investigate molecular markers associated with lymph node metastasis in esophageal squamous cell carcino-ma. Methods: Patients who meet the inclusion criteria were assigned into two groups, with and without lymph node metastasis. The statistically significant risk factors were evaluated using univariate analysis and multivariate Logistic regression analysis. The diagnostic threshold, sensitivity, and specificity were analyzed by Youden's index. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) was used to evaluate the power of test. Result: Univariate analysis and multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that GC% of wild type base in the first somatic mutational position of the codons was a risk factor for lymph node metastasis [OR (95% CI): 0.931 (0.874-0.991), P<0.05]. AUC was 0.639 (P<0.05, 95% CI: 0.522-0.756). The Youden's index was 0.277, and the sensitivity and specificity were 56.6% and 71.1%, re-spectively. Conclusions: GC% of wild type base in the first somatic mutational position of the codons is significantly associated with lymph node metastasis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. The marker was found to be a protective factor for lymph node metas-tasis and has potential significance in clinical applications.