EGFR and MMP7 are important targets for gastric cancer metastasis

Abstract

The invasion and metastasis of gastric cancer pose frequent clinical challenges following standard treatment. Investigating the molecular mechanisms underpinning gastric cancer invasion and metastasis constitutes a critical research area. This study aims to pinpoint potential target molecules involved in gastric cancer metastasis. After analyzing the TCGA database, we identified overexpression of EGFR and MMP7 in gastric adenocarcinoma, which correlates with unfavorable patient outcomes. Notably, MMP7 expression is closely linked to gastric adenocarcinoma metastasis. Immunohistochemical analysis of clinical gastric adenocarcinoma tissue samples confirmed the association of both EGFR and MMP7 with metastasis, aligning with the findings from bioinformatics analysis. Moreover, our immunohistochemical results revealed a positive correlation between EGFR and MMP7 expression, providing a foundational basis for future endeavors in searching for drug targets to prevent and treat gastric cancer invasion and metastasis.