In the positive lymph node metastasis group, a significantly higher MTDH expression level was revealed compared with the negative lymph node metastasis group (P=0.023).
Higher AEG-1 mRNA level in patients with NSCLC was correlated with clinical stages (P=0.028), differentiation (P=0.042), and lymph node metastasis (P=0.004).
We found that MTDH expression levels were correlated with lymph node metastasis, TNM stages and decreased OS (P=0.002, <0.001 and 0.010, respectively) in human gastric cancer and that MTDH upregulation promoted EMT in vitro.
Statistical analyses demonstrated a significant correlation of AEG‑1 expression with differentiation (P=0.001), lymph node metastasis (P=0.008) and clinical staging (P=0.002).
Using an orthotopic xenograft-mouse model, we also observed that AEG-1 overexpression in human carcinoma cells led to the development of multiple lymph node metastases and elevated mesenchymal markers such as Vimentin, which is a characteristic of cells in EMT.
Simultaneously, statistical analysis displayed a significant correlation of high AEG-1 mRNA and protein expressions with differentiation status, TNM staging, invasive depth, and lymph node metastasis (P < 0.05).
AEG-1 expression at the mRNA level and/or the protein level was significantly up-regulated gradually from normal mucosa to primary CRC, and then to lymph node metastasis and finally to liver metastasis (p < 0.05).
We further found that the positive and specificity predictive value of AEG-1 staining were better for peritoneal metastasis, whereas the negative and sensitivity predictive value of AEG-1 staining were better for lymph node metastasis.