Sox2 gene expression as a gene to change the aggressive behavior of cancerous cells in patients with gastric cancer

Introduction: Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) phenomenon in cancer cells is one of the most sensitive stages in metastasis. In addition, it has been shown that many molecular factors and cellular signals, including the Sox2 gene, are involved in arising EMT, which together cause EMT. The phenomenon of EMT in cancer cells is one of the most sensitive stages in metastasis. Expression of Sox2 gene as an effective gene in altering aggressive behavior of cancer cells has not been studied in patients with gastric cancer. Materials and methods: RNA was extracted from 50 tumoral and 50 normal samples from patients with gastric cancer. Then cDNA synthesis was performed on the extracted RNAs. Primers for the target genes were designed and synthesized. Quantitative real-time PCR was performed to determine the relative expression of the studied genes and the relationship between the clinic pathologic parameters and the amount of RNA was analyzed by Pearson correlation coefficient analysis. Results: mRNA expression of Sox2 in tumor tissue was significantly higher than that in healthy adjacent tumor tissue. The mRNA expression level of Sox2 in tumor tissue was significantly higher than that in healthy adjacent tumor tissue. Also, mRNA levels of Sox2 in tumor tissue indicated a direct and significant correlation with tumor staging (TNM stages) (τ = 0.329, P = 0.02). In addition, there was no significant correlation between mRNA levels of Sox2 in tumor tissue and tumor size (τ = 0.138, P = 0.177). Conclusion: Assessment of Sox2 gene expression in the study of genes involved in EMT process in gastric cancer patients and its relation to pathologic, clinical and metastatic findings in gastric cancer is an effective method in the diagnosis of gastric cancer.