[Expression of MICA/B protein in esophageal cancer and its clinical significance].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the expression of MICA/B in human esophageal cancer, and to analyze its correlation with clinicopathological features. METHODS: The expression of MICA/B in 40 cases of esophagus carcinoma and corresponding normal esophageal mucosa tissues were examined by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The positive rate of expression of MICA/B protein in the esophageal carcinoma was 75.0% (30/40), and that in the corresponding normal esophageal mucosa was 0 (0/40). Up-regulation of MICA/B expression was found in the esophageal carcinomas. The expression of MICA/B was related with histological grade of the esophageal carcinoma (P = 0.012). CONCLUSION: MICA/B protein plays an important role in the esophageal carcinogenesis, and my become a useful molecular marker for the diagnosis of esophageal carcinoma.