ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the expression of heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF) in patients with gastric carcinoma in different stages.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The expressions of HB-EGF protein and mRNA in normal gastric tissues, metaplasic intestinal mucosa, early-stage gastric cancer and advanced-stage gastric cancer tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>HB-EGF expression was only detected in the parietal cells of the gastric fundic glands and in gastrin cells of the pyloric glands in normal gastric tissues. Weak HB-EGF expression was detected in the epithelial cells of the gastric mucosa in intestinal metaplasic mucosa, and the expression increased in all layers of the gastric mucosa in early-stage gastric cancer. Intense HB-EGF expression was observed in advanced gastric cancer.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Increased HB-EGF expression may be implicated in the pathogenesis and development of gastric carcinoma.</p>