Significance of cytosolic hyaluronan levels in gastric cancer

Background. Hyaluronan a high-molecular weight glycosaminoglycan, is considered to be involved in the growth and progression of malignant tumours. The objective of this work was to evaluate the cytosolic hyaluronan content in gastric cancer cells, its possible relationship with clinicopathological tumour parameters and its potential prognostic significance. Methods. Cytosolic hyaluronan levels were examined utilizing immunoenzymatic techniques in 129 patients with gastric cancer. The mean follow-up period for these patients was 28 months. Results. Cytosolic hyaluronan levels ranged widely in tumours as well as in adjacent mucosal samples (median (range) 2822 (50–24,523) versus 3650 (507–20,782) ng/mg protein). Statistical analysis showed that tumour hyaluronan levels correlated significantly with patient's sex and the presence of lymphatic invasion. In addition, high tumour hyaluronan levels were significantly associated with shorter overall survival period ( p