Relationship between the DKK1 expression and clinicopathological features and prognosis of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Objective To investigate the expression of DKK1 in the tissues of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and its relation with the clinicopathological features and prognosis of ESCC. Methods The expression of DKK1 were assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC, SP) in 150 cases of ESCC specimens (collected by the authors from Mar. 2007 to Jun. 2009, experimental group), and 52 specimens of normal esophageal tissue adjacent to the tumor (control group). The relationship between the DKK1 expression and the clinicopathological parameters and prognosis of ESCC patients was analyzed. Results In 150 specimens of ESCC tissues, the positive DKK1 expression was found in 105 specimens, and the positive rate was 70%. No DKK1 expression was detected in 52 cases of normal esophageal tissue. High DKK1 expression was correlated with the depth of tumor invasion and lymph node metastasis, but no correlation with other clinicopathological parameters was found. The 3-year survival rate in positive group and negative group of DK