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Hu et al. J Cancer Metastasis Treat 2018;4:39 Journal of Cancer
DOI: 10.20517/2394-4722.2018.08 Metastasis and Treatment

Review Open Access

Molecular mechanism of peritoneal dissemination in
gastric cancer

Qing-Jiang Hu , Shuhei Ito , Kazuyoshi Yanagihara , Koshi Mimori 1
1,2
1
3
1 Department of Surgery, Kyushu University Beppu Hospital, Beppu 874-0838, Japan.
2 Department of Surgery and Science, Kyushu University Hospital, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan.
3 Division of Biomarker Discovery, Exploratory Oncology Research & Clinical Trial Center, National Cancer Center, Kashiwa 277-
8577, Japan.
Correspondence to: Dr. Koshi Mimori, Department of Surgery, Kyushu University Beppu Hospital, 4546 Tsurumihara, Beppu
874-0838, Japan. E-mail: kmimori@beppu.kyushu-u.ac.jp

How to cite this article: Hu QJ, Ito S, Yanagihara K, Mimori K. Molecular mechanism of peritoneal dissemination in gastric cancer.
J Cancer Metastasis Treat 2018;4:39. http://dx.doi.org/10.20517/2394-4722.2018.08

Received: 3 Feb 2018 First Decision: 8 Feb 2018 Revised: 13 Jun 2018 Accepted: 25 Jun 2018 Published: 26 Jul 2018
Science Editor: Masayuki Watanabe Copy Editor: Jun-Yao Li Production Editor: Cai-Hong Wang

Abstract
Peritoneal dissemination (PD) is the most common cause of metastasis in gastric cancer (GC). Because there are no
standard treatments for PD, it is associated with a poor prognosis. Although clinicians have performed intraperitoneal
chemotherapy for GC with PD, the outcome remains unsatisfactory. Therefore, the development of novel treatments
and diagnostic tools for PD is expected to improve the prognosis of GC patients with PD. Notably, it is essential to
elucidate the molecular mechanisms involved in the development of PD in GC. In this review, the molecular mechanisms
of PD (three steps: detachment from the primary tumor, adaptation to the microenvironment of the peritoneal cavity,
and attachment to peritoneal mesothelial cells) and new topics in GC are highlighted.

Keywords: Gastric cancer, peritoneal dissemination, molecular mechanism

INTRODUCTION
Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most prevalent cancers worldwide and is associated with a high mortality
rate . The malignant potential of GC is characterized biologically by the dissemination of cancer cells
[1]
from the primary site throughout the peritoneal cavity. Almost 50% of recurrence was peritoneal
dissemination in GC, and GC patients with peritoneal dissemination (PD) had a poor prognosis .
[2]
Although molecularly-targeted therapy has improved the prognosis of advanced and recurrent GC, the
outcome remains unsatisfactory particularly in GC patients with PD . Therefore, clarification of the
[3,4]

© The Author(s) 2018. Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
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