摘要
AIM:The E-cadherin-catedin complex is important for cell-cell adhesion of epithelial cells.Impairment of one or more components of this comples is associated with poor differentiation and increased invasiveness of carcinomas,We evaluated the expression pattern of E-cadherin and β-catenin in gastric carcinoma and dysplasia and analyzed their relationship with tumor clinicopathological featrres and patient survival.
AIM:The E-cadherin-catenin complex is important for cell- cell adhesion of epithelial cells.Impairment of one or more components of this complex is associated with poor differentiation and increased invasiveness of carcinomas.We evaluated the expression pattern of E-cadherin and β-catenin in gastric carcinoma and dysplasia and analyzed their relationship with tumor clinicopathological features and patient survival. METHODS:Immunohistochemical staining of E-cadherin and β-catenin was performed from paraffin specimens of 163 gastric carcinomas,44 gastric mucosal dysplasia,and 25 intestinal metaplasia,28 atrophic gastritis and 12 healthy controls. RESULTS:Normal membrane staining was observed in intestinal metaplasia,atrophic gastritis and control biopsy specimens for E-cadherin and β-catenin.36 % and 16 % of gastric dysplasia were stained abnormally for E-cadherin and β-catenin respectively.Abnormal expression of E-cadherin and 13-catenin was demonstrated in 46 % and 44 % of gastric carcinoma respectively.Abnormal expression of E- cadherin and β-catenin occurred more significantly in Borrmann Ⅲ/Ⅳ than in Borrmann Ⅰ/Ⅱ type(P<0.005, respectively).A significantly higher proportion of signet-ring, mucinous and tubular adenocarcinomas were abnormally expressed for E-cadherin and β-catenin as compared with papillary adenocarcinomas(x^2=8.47,P<0.005,and x^2=7.05, P<0.01,respectively).Morever,abnormal E-cadherin and β-catenin staining occurred more frequently in diffuse than in intestinal type of tumor(x^2=18.18 and 17.79,P<0.005, respectively).There was a significant correlation between abnormal β-catenin expression and positive lymph node metastasis.A survival advantage was noted in tumors retaining normal membranous expression of β-catenin, independent of type,grade,or stage of the disease(P<0.0005). CONCLUSION:Abnormal expression of the E-cadherin- catenin complex occurs frequently in gatric carcinoma,closely related to its histogenesis.Abnormal expression of the E- cadherin-catenin complex in gastric dysplasia may be an early event in the tumorigenesis.The close correlation with poor survival suggests that abnormal β-catenin may be a useful prognostic marker.
