RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Fatty acid-binding proteins (FABPs) have been found to be involved in tumorigenesis and development. However, the role of FABP4, a member of the FABPs, in GISTs (Gastrointestinal stromal tumors) remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the expression of FABP4 and its prognostic value in GISTs. METHODS: FABP4 expression in 125 patients with GISTs was evaluated by immunohistochemical analysis of tissue microarrays. The relationship between FABP4 expression and clinicopathological features and prognosis of GISTs was analyzed. RESULTS: Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that expression of FABP4 correlated with tumor size and mitotic index. Furthermore, FABP4 level, tumor size, mitotic index, and high AFIP-Miettinen risk were independent prognostic factors in GISTs. The Kaplan-Meier survival curve showed that the 5-year survival rate of patients with high-FABP4 expression GISTs was lower. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested that high-FABP4 expression might be a marker of malignant phenotype of GISTs and poor prognosis.
