Supplementary Material for: A High Ki67/BCL2 Index Could Predict Lower Disease-Free and Overall Survival in Intestinal-Type Gastric Cancer

Background: The heterogeneity of gastric cancer makes
the identification of potential prognostic indicators particularly
important. The Ki67 and BCL2 proteins are known prognostic markers for
different types of cancer. Ki67 is associated with cell proliferation,
whereas BCL2 has antiproliferative roles. A combined marker based on
these opposite functions might provide improved prognostic information
in gastric cancer. Method: Ki67 and BCL2 expression was
assessed in 276 gastric adenocarcinoma tissue microarrays. A Ki67/BCL2
index based on the relative expression of each protein was divided into
low- and high-risk groups using receiver operating characteristic
curves. Results: A high Ki67/BCL2 index significantly
correlated with advanced stage, recurrence, intestinal type, high
histologic grade, and lymphatic and perineural invasion (all p <
0.05). Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed a significant
relationship between disease-free or overall survival and the Ki67/BCL2
index in intestinal-type gastric cancer (all p < 0.05). Conclusions:
A combined marker using Ki67 and BCL2 could be a useful indicator for
predicting survival in patients with intestinal-type gastric cancer.