Transcriptional Factor Typing with SOX2, HNF4aP1, and CDX2 Closely Relates to Tumor Invasion and Epstein-Barr Virus Status in Gastric Cancer

Background: Gastric cancer (GC) is a major cancer, sometimes associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Some transcriptional factors (TFs) are specific to the digestive tract and related to the character of the tumors.

Methods: We studied three TFs, SOX2, CDX2, and hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 alpha-promoter 1 (HNF4aP1) in GC. First, 255 tumors including 31 EBV-associated GC were immunohistochemically examined using tissue arrays and compared TF type and mucin phenotype. We classified them into 4 TF types: N-TF type as SOX2-/HNF4aP1- tumor, G: SOX2+/HNF4aP1-, GI: SOX2+/HNF4aP1+, and I: SOX2-/HNF4aP1+. Next, 915 GCs were intensely investigated and compared with their clinicopathological factors.

Results: In the first study, 255 GCs were classified into N-TF 44%, G-TF 31%, GI-TF 3%, and I-TF 2%. The TF type did not strictly accord with the mucin phenotype, classified by MUC2/5AC/6/CD10 expression. EBV status was the only factor related to both the TF and mucin phenotype classifications (P<0.0001, <0.0001). TF classification is related to more factors including tumor stage, than mucin phenotype classification. The second study using 915 GCs revealed that N-TF gradually increased and I-TF decreased as GC invaded deeper. TF classification was not related to nodal involvement in each tumor stage. HNF4aP1 and CDX2 were independent factors for early stage tumor in logistic regression analysis.

Conclusions: EBV-associated GC is a discriminating group in both TF and mucin phenotype. TF classification, especially the absence of HNF4aP1 and CDX2, is related to tumor invasion. TF classification is a useful marker to study the carcinogenesis of GC further.