High Expression of ABRACL Is Associated with Tumorigenesis and Affects Clinical Outcome in Gastric Cancer.

BACKGROUND: The ABRA C-terminal like (ABRACL) protein belongs to a novel family of low-molecular weight proteins that increase actin dynamics and cell motility. It is involved in various diseases including cancer; however, its role in gastric cancer is unclear. In this study, the expression of ABRACL in gastric cancer and its relationships with patients' clinicopathological features and survival are examined.

METHODS: Sample expression profiles were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database and the Cancer Genome Atlas. ABRACL expression at the protein level in normal gastric and gastric cancer tissues was compared by using immunohistochemistry staining data provided by the Human Protein Atlas. Correlations between ABRACL expression and clinicopathological features are analyzed by chi-square tests. Patient survival is evaluated by Kaplan-Meier analysis.

RESULTS: ABRACL expression is upregulated in gastric cancer tissues than in normal tissues. High ABRACL levels indicated a poor prognosis. ABRACL expression (low ABRACL, n = 96; high ABRACL, n = 96) in gastric cancer tissues (primary data from GSE15459) is significantly correlated with poor overall survival (χ2  = 4.078, p = 0.043; log-rank test). ABRACL levels (low ABRACL, n = 172, high ABRACL, n = 171) in gastric cancer tissues (primary data from www.kmplot.com ) are significantly correlated with poor overall survival (χ2  = 4.305, p = 0.038, log-rank test).

CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that ABRACL is highly expressed in gastric cancer and is a potential prognostic marker and therapeutic target for this disease.