ARID1A expression in gastric adenocarcinoma:Clinicopathological significance and correlation with DNA mismatch repair status

AIM:To analyze the mismatch repair(MMR)status and the ARID1A expression as well as their clinicopathological significance in gastric adenocarcinomas.METHODS:We examined the expressions of MMR proteins and ARID1A by immunohistochemistry in consecutive 489 primary gastric adenocarcinomas.The results were further correlated with clinicopathological variables.RESULTS:The loss of any MMR protein expression,indicative of MMR deficiency,was observed in 38cases(7.8%)and was significantly associated with an older age(68.6±9.2 vs 60.4±11.7,P<0.001),a female sex(55.3%vs 31.3%,P=0.004),an antral location(44.7%vs 25.7%,P=0.021),and a differentiated histology(57.9%vs 39.7%,P=0.023).Abnormal ARID1A expression,including reduced or loss of ARID1A expression,was observed in 109 cases(22.3%)and was significantly correlated with lymphatic invasion(80.7%vs 69.5%,P=0.022)and lymph node metastasis(83.5%vs 73.7%,P=0.042).The tumors with abnormal ARID1A expression more frequently indicated MMR deficiency(47.4%vs 20.2%,P<0.001).A multivariate analysis identified abnormal ARID1A expression as an independent poor prognostic factor(HR=1.36,95%CI:1.01-1.84;P=0.040).CONCLUSION:Our observations suggest that the AIRD1A inactivation is associated with lymphatic invasion,lymph node metastasis,poor prognosis,and MMR deficiency in gastric adenocarcinomas.