A potential target of GXYLT2 affecting the prognosis of gastric cancer by enhancing the EMT process: A clinical retrospective study

The present study aimed to investigate glucoside xylosyltransferase 2 (GXYLT2) as a potential prognostic marker for gastric cancer (GC). The expression levels of GXYLT2, Notch1, E-cadherin and vimentin in GC and adjacent tissues were detected by Elivision™️ Plus immunohistochemistry. The relationship between GXYLT2, Notch1, E-cadherin and vimentin, and clinicopathological parameters was also analyzed. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were conducted to evaluate the effect of GXYLT2 on survival. The results revealed that GC tissues exhibited a marked increase in GXYLT2, Notch1 and vimentin, and a marked reduction in E-cadherin. The expression of GXYLT2 was related to the differentiation degree of GC and the pathological tumor-node-metastasis (pTNM) stage; the expression of Notch1 was related to the vascular and nerve infiltration of GC; and E-cadherin and vimentin expression were related to patient age, tumor size, tumor differentiation degree, depth of infiltration, lymph node metastasis and pTNM stage. Positive associations existed between GXYLT2 and Notch1 expression, GXYLT2 and vimentin expression, and Notch1 and vimentin expression. Furthermore, the Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that survival and prognosis were associated with factors such as GXYLT2 protein levels, pTNM stage, tumor dimensions, depth of infiltration and lymph node metastasis. Through Cox regression analysis, GXYLT2 was identified as an independent predictor for GC. In conclusion, GXYLT2 may be related to the pathogenesis of GC, and its abnormal expression could be associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Consequently, GXYLT2 may be considered a promising prognostic marker in the context of GC.