Objective:To investigate the expression of GMⅡ

E-cadherin

and Galectin-3

and their roles in tumorigenesis and progression of gastric cancer.Methods:Immunohistochemistry SP method was used to determine expression of GMⅡ

E-cadherin

and Galectin-3 in gastric carcinoma(n=65) and normal gastric mucosa(n=20).Results:The positive rates of GMⅡ

E-cadherin

and Galectin-3 were respectively 85%(55/65)

40%(26/65)

and 74%(48/65) in gastric cancer ;their were respectively 50%(10/20)

100%(20/20)

and 40%(8/20) in normal gastric mucosa.The expressions of GMⅡ

E-cadherin

and Galectin-3 were significantly different between tissues from carcinoma and those from normal mucosa(P<0.05).The expressions of GMⅡand E-cadherin were significantly related to poor differentiation

deep invasion and lymph node metastasis.GMⅡ expression had a negative correlation with E-cadherin(P<0.05)

but no correlation with galectin-3(P>0.05).The expression of galectin-3 was markedly related to the depth of invasion

lymph node metastasis

but not to tumor differentiation.Conclusion:Up-regulated expression of GMⅡ

Galectin-3 play important roles in the invasion and metastasis of gastric carcinoma.There is a significant negative correlation between GMⅡ and E-cadherin

suggesting that GMⅡ may promote the development of gastric carcinoma through down-regulating expression of E-cadherin.