ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the expression of aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (ALDH1) and human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER-2) in human gastric cancer tissues, and analyze its relationship with clinicopathological characteristics. Methods The surgical specimens, gastroscopic biopsy specimens and clinicopathological data of 162 patients with gastric cancer treated in Hengshui People's Hospital Affiliated to Hebei Medical University from July 2015 to March 2018 were selected. The expressions of ALDH1 and HER-2 protein in gastric cancer tissues and paracancerous tissues of 162 patients were detected by immunohistochemistry. The relationship between the results and clinicopathological characteristics were analyzed. Results ALDH1 and HER-2 protein were significantly higher in gastric cancer tissues (48.7%, 34.0%) than those in paracancerous tissues (8.0%, 11.7%, P<0.05). The expression of ALDH1 protein was significantly related to T state, histological differentiation, TNM stage, lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis (P<0.05), but had no relationship with gender, age and tumor location. The expression of HER-2 protein was significantly related to T state, tumor location, histological differentiation, TNM stage and distant metastasis (P<0.05), but had no relationship with gender, age and lymph node metastasis. ALDH1 expression was positively associated with HER-2 (P<0.00). Conclusions ALDH1 and HER-2 are upregulated in gastric cancer. ALDH1 and HER-2 may promote the development of gastric cancer and serve as new therapeutic targets for gastric cancer.