Objective: To investigate the dynamic expression of pepsinogen C (PGC) and its value in detection of precursor and gastric cancer.
Methods: Immunohistochemistry was used to examine the expression of PGC in 424 biopsy specimens of stomach mucosa collected by gastroscopy.
Results: The positive rate of PGC expression in 54 cases of normal gastric mucosa was 100% and 2.4% in 124 cases of gastric cancer. The positive rate of PGC expression decreased in the order of superficial gastritis/gastric ulcer or erosion-->atrophic gastritis or gastric dysplasia-->gastric cancer (P < 0.01).
Conclusion: The expression of PGC is negatively correlated with the degree of malignity of gastric mucosa and development of gastric lesions. PGC has high sensitivity and specificity in diagnosis of precursor of gastric cancer and can be a good indicator in the screening and diagnosis of precursor of gastric cancer and gastric cancer.