Expression of serum Dickkopf-1 in gastric cancer patients

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the expression and clinical significance of DKK-1 protein in patients with gastric cancers.@*METHODS@#Enzyme linked immuno sorbent assay was used to detect expressions of serum DKK-1 protein in 90 cases of gastric cancers, 50 cases of gastric benign disease and 40 healthy cases. The dynamic change in serum DKK-1 protein of gastric cancer patients who accepted radical operation for a month was also observed.@*RESULTS@#The expression of serum DKK-1 protein in gastric cancer groups was significantly higher than that in gastric benign group's (P < 0.01) and in health control (P < 0.01). Serum DKK-1 level was increased gradually along with the progress of the disease. Serum DKK-1 levels were significantly higher in patients at TNM staging III and IV than patients at TNM staging I and II. Level of serum DKK-1 was related to microvascular invasion, differentiation degree and infiltration depth. Level of serum DKK-1 was significantly reduced in patients after radical surgery (P < 0.01).@*CONCLUSIONS@#The expression of serum DKK-1 protein in gastric cancer patients is increased. Level of serum DKK-1 is related to TNM staging, microvascular invasion, differentiation degree and infiltration depth. DKK-1 detection can be used as a reference index in monitoring gastric cancer progress and biological behavior.