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Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) and Gastric Cancer: Why is Lethality More Prevalent in AFP-Secreting than Non-Secreting Tumors?

Author

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  • GJ Mizejewski

    (Division of Translational Medicine, Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory, USA)

Abstract

Gastric (stomach) cancer (GC) is the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) secreting gastric cancer (AFP(+) GC represents an aggressive, less common subtype of stomach cancer exhibiting poor prognosis, low patient survival times, high progression rates, and liver metastases. No standard treatment regimen is presently in practice although multimodal therapies have been employed, while some drug resistance has been encountered in chemotherapy. AFP(+)GC is known to be more lethal than AFP-nonsecreting tumors with a patient median survival time of only 14 months. The reason for the increased mortality and morbidity of AFP-secreting GC has not been completely understood although multiple factors have been forwarded. Such factors include later stage diagnosis, unresectable metastases, rapid tumor growth, high mitotic rates, and elevated cellular expression of growth-promoting proteins. However, in recent years, a better understanding of the physiological (biological) activities of AFP as a growth regulatory cell-signaling factor have emerged. Such studies have established that AFP itself, acting through a cell surface receptor, is a potent tumor growth promoter as demonstrated in the present report.

Suggested Citation

  • GJ Mizejewski, 2018. "Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) and Gastric Cancer: Why is Lethality More Prevalent in AFP-Secreting than Non-Secreting Tumors?," Cancer Therapy & Oncology International Journal, Juniper Publishers Inc., vol. 9(1), pages 8-12, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:adp:jctoij:v:9:y:2018:i:1:p:8-12
    DOI: 10.19080/CTOIJ.2018.09.555753
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