RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF) in patients with gastric carcinoma in different stages. METHODS: 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. RESULTS: 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. CONCLUSION: Increased HB-EGF expression may be implicated in the pathogenesis and development of gastric carcinoma.