Aberrant chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor CXCR4 expressions in malignant tissues 
have been reported, but its role in gastric cancer prognosis remains unknown. 
Our studies were designed to investigate the expression and prognostic 
significance of CXCR4 in patients with gastric cancer. CXCR4 expression was 
retrospectively analyzed by immunohistochemistry in 97 patients with gastric 
adenocarcinoma from China. Results were assessed for association with clinical 
features and overall survival by using Kaplan-Meier analysis. Prognostic values 
of CXCR4 expression and clinical outcomes were evaluated by Cox regression 
analysis. A molecular prognostic stratification scheme incorporating CXCR4 
expression was determined by using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) 
analysis. The results show that CXCR4 predominantly localized in the cell 
membranes and cytoplasm. The protein level of CXCR4 was upregulation in gastric 
cancer tissues and upregulated expression of CXCR4 was only significantly 
associated with Lauren classification (P<0.001). Increased CXCR4 expression in 
gastric cancer tissues was positively correlated with poor overall survival of 
gastric cancer patients (P<0.001). Further multivariate Cox regression analysis 
suggested that intratumoral CXCR4 expression was an independent prognostic 
indicator for the disease. Applying the prognostic value of intratumoral CXCR4 
density to TNM stage system showed a better prognostic value in patients with 
gastric cancer. In conclusion, intratumoral CXCR4 expression was recognized as 
an independent prognostic marker for the overall survival of patients with 
gastric cancer. On the basis of TNM stage, detection of CXCR4 expression will be 
helpful for predicting prognosis for patients with gastric cancer.