MATERIALS AND METHODSClinicopathological dataWe collected gastric carcinoma specimens from the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University: 98 cases of gastric carcinoma, including 29 cases of early gastric carcinoma (EGC) and 69 cases of advanced gastric carcinoma (AGC), with matched normal gastric mucosa, 58 cases of intestinal metaplasia (IM), and 32 cases of dysplasia (DYS).