Molecular Markers May Predict Outcome of Stomach Cancer

Worldwide…stomach cancer is one of the most common and fatal cancers.

From Mayo Clinic:

“…two factors that play a major role in the development of stomach cancer — infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria and diet, especially the type of diet that’s high in salted, smoked and pickled foods common in areas that lack refrigeration as a means of preserving food.

Stomach cancer is more readily treated when caught early. Unfortunately, by the time stomach cancer causes symptoms, it’s often at an advanced stage and may have spread beyond the stomach. Yet there is encouraging news. You can reduce your risk of stomach cancer by making a few changes in your lifestyle.”

Now Rhode Island researchers have identified two potential molecular markers that may predict the outcome of  stomach cancer after treatment (usually surgery): two proteins, known as gastrokine 1 and 2 (GKN1 and GKN2) — which are produced by normal stomach cells.

The said research findings have reported (July 1 issue of Clinical Cancer Research),that stomach cancer patients who had poor outcomes following surgery for stomach cancer also had extremely low amounts of those two proteins.

I’m such a sucker for such kinds of molecular markers. I really hope that they bring us to better treatment, better yet preventative therapies sometime in the future.

Read more about this report from Science Daily.