BACKGROUND: This research focused on detecting the expressions of RhoA and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) proteins in early gastric cancer tissues and to explore their role in the development of gastric cancer.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Surgically resected gastric cancer tissues and the paired normal paracancerous tissues were collected from 26 patients with early gastric cancer from January 2015 to November 2015. The expressions of RhoA and COX-2 proteins were detected by using RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry techniques, respectively. Cell proliferation and migration experiments were conducted on the RhoA-silenced A6-B9 cells and COX-2-silenced D7-B8 cells so as to discuss their role in the development of gastric cancer.

RESULTS: Relative mRNA expressions of RhoA and COX-2 in the cancer tissues were 0.823±0.021 and 0.892±0.103, respectively, which showed significant differences compared to the normal cancerous tissues (0.295±0.014 and 0.129±0.037) (p<0.05). Immunohistochemical staining indicated that the expressions of RhoA and COX-2 proteins in tumor tissues were significantly upregulated as compared to normal cancerous tissues (p<0.05). Cell cloning and streaking assays showed that silencing of RhoA and COX-2 gene caused a considerable decline in the proliferation and migration capacities of the gastric cancer cells, respectively (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: RhoA and COX-2 were upregulated in early gastric cancer tissues, which facilitated the proliferation and migration of gastric cancer cells. Both proteins may be used as potential markers for the diagnosis of early gastric cancer.

Keywords: Cyclooxygenase 2, rhoA GTP-Binding Protein