The Expression and Value of Leptin and Leptin Receptor by Immunostaining in Identifying Patients With Human Esophageal Carcinoma

Objective: To investigate the expression of leptin and leptin receptor (OB-R) and their clinicopathological significance in human esophageal carcinoma. Methods: The expression of leptin and OB-R was detected in 52 cases of esophageal carcinoma tissues and 49 cases of normal esophageal tissues by immunohistochemistry. The correlation between their expression and clinicopathological parameters was also analyzed. Results: The expression rates of leptin and OB-R in esophageal carcinoma were 78.8% (41/52) and 82.7% (43/52), respectively, and the rates in normal esophagus samples were 58.3% (28/49) and 59.2% (29/49), respectively. The expression rates of leptin and OB-R have statistically significant differences between esophageal carcinoma and normal esophagus tissue (P=0.027, P=0.009, P<0.05, for both). The immunostaining intensity of leptin and OB-R was significantly stronger in esophageal carcinoma than in normal esophagus tissue. The expression rates of leptin and OB-R have correlations with position, tumor size, differentiation, lymphaden metastasis, and tumor node metastasis (TNM) stage (P<0.05). Conclusion: Leptin and OB-R were dually expressed in esophageal carcinoma. They play an important role in the process of carcinogenesis and development of esophageal carcinoma.