Abstract
Background/Aim: Granzyme B (GZMB) is mainly produced by natural killer (NK) cells and activated CD8-positive T cells to induce tumor cell apoptosis. We analyzed the significance of GZMB expression in gastric cancer (GC) tissues from patients with pathological (p)Stage II/III GC after curative resection. Patients and Methods: Patients with pStage II/III GC who received curative resection (n=253) were included and the expression levels of GZMB in GC tissues and in the adjacent normal mucosa were measured using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The expression levels in GC tissues and clinicopathological features and overall survival (OS) were compared in these patients. Results: GZMB expression levels were significantly higher in GC tissues than in the adjacent normal mucosa. GZMB expression levels in GC tissues were not associated with any clinicopathological features. The 5-year OS rate in the high-GZMB expression group was significantly better than that in the low-expression group (5-year survival rate 72.0% vs. 55.7%; p=0.009). Furthermore, on multivariate analysis, high-GZMB expression was an independent factor for better OS (hazard ratio=0.652; 95% confidence interval=0.432-0.987; p=0.043). Conclusion: In patients with locally advanced GC after curative resection, GZMB expression in GC tissue may be a useful prognostic marker.
- Received August 1, 2024.
- Revision received August 24, 2024.
- Accepted August 25, 2024.
- Copyright © 2024 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. George J. Delinasios), All rights reserved.
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