E-cadherin has an important role in the cell-cell adhesion and is know
n as an invasion suppressor gene. The c-met, which is a receptor of he
patocyte growth factor receptor, is involved in the proliferative and
motile activity in cancer cells. The invasive and metastatic capacitie
s of gastric cancer were studied from the immunohistochemically examin
ed expression of MET and E-cadherin. Among 127 primary gastric cancers
, 47 (34%) tumors were found to have preserved E-cadherin expression a
nd the other 84 tumors showed reduced E-cadherin expression. MET expre
ssion was found in 55 (43%) tumors. A strong correlation was found bet
ween reduced E-cadherin expression and a larger tumor, positive serosa
l invasion, lymph node metastases or poor prognosis. Tumors with MET e
xpression have the tendencies to invade deeply, to metastasize in more
remote lymph nodes or peritoneum and to run a poor prognosis. MET ove
r-expression and reduced E-cadherin expression were strongly associate
d with lymph node metastasis, peritoneal dissemination and poor progno
sis. This group of patients with simultaneously abnormal expressions o
f these genes had a sixfold relative risk of death, as compared with p
atients with tumors showing MET negative or preserved E-cadherin expre
ssion. These results indicate that immunohistochemical combined analys
es of MET and E-cadherin expression may be a powerful tool for the eva
luation of invasive capacity and the prognosis of gastric cancer patie
nts.