Nuclear Factor-κB p65 is a Prognostic Indicator in Gastric Carcinoma

Background: In common with other investigators, we have reported the constitutive activation of transcription factor nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in a variety of carcinomas, but there is no definite information on its clinical significance. Materials and Methods: NF-κB p65 activation was determined by immunohistochemical analysis of surgically resected specimens from 63 gastric carcinomas. The 63 patients were divided into a high NF-κB group (21 patients) and a low NF-κB group (42 patients). Forty-seven of the 63 patients underwent curative resection. The 47 patients consisted of 13 high NF-κB patients and 34 low NF-κB patients. Results: The high NF-κB group demonstrated a shorter overall survival rate compared with the low NF-κB group (p=0.015). In the 47 patients who underwent curative resection, the high NF-κB group also showed a poor survival prognosis (p=0.032). Multivariate analysis indicated that NF-κB activation is a potential prognostic factor in gastric carcinoma. Conclusion: Constitutive activation of NF-κB p65 may be a new prognostic parameter in gastric carcinoma.