Tissue RNFT2 Expression Levels Are Associated With Peritoneal Recurrence and Poor Prognosis in Gastric Cancer

Background/Aim: Disease recurrence is frequently observed after curative resection of advanced gastric cancer resulting in a poor prognosis. In the present study, we identified a candidate biomarker to predict recurrence and prognosis after curative resection of gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: A transcriptome analysis was conducted using surgically resected cancerous tissue from patients with metastatic gastric cancer to identify genes that are upregulated in primary and metastatic tissues. Results: Ring finger protein, transmembrane 2 (RNFT2) mRNA expression was upregulated in primary gastric cancer tissues and metastases compared with non-cancerous tissues. RNFT2 expression in gastric cancer cell lines was positively correlated with the EMT-related molecules GSC, MMP9, and RAC1. The RNFT2 high expression group exhibited a significantly shorter postoperative overall survival. Peritoneal recurrence was significantly higher in the RNFT2 high expression group. Conclusion: RNFT2 mRNA expression predicts peritoneal recurrence and is a potential prognostic biomarker for gastric cancer following curative gastrectomy.