ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the expression of CCAAT/enhancer binding protein beta (CEBPB) in gastric carcinoma tissues and its association with clinicopathological features and prognosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>CEBPB protein expression level was detected by immunohistochemistry method in resected gastric carcinomas and adjacent gastric mucosa tissues (n=81), and its association with clinicopathological features and prognosis was analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The immunohistochemical staining of CEBPB was predominantly in the nucleus with some cytoplasmic staining. As a result, 16% (13/81) of the gastric carcinomas were stained positively, whereas there was hardly positive expression in adjacent gastric mucosa tissues. There was a significant association between the expression of CEBPB and distant metastasis on univariate analysis (P<0.05). The median survival time in patients with positive CEBPB expression was significantly lower than those with negative CEBPB expression (19.4 months vs. 45.2 months, P=0.024). Multivariable analysis showed that CEBPB was independently associated with prognosis (HR=2.544, 95%CI:1.154-5.610, P=0.021).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Up-regulation of CEBPB suggests poor prognosis in patients with gastric cancer.</p>