E-cadherin expression in colorectal cancer. An immunocytochemical and in situ hybridization study.
Expression of the epithelial-specific adhesion molecule E-cadherin has been assessed in paraffin-embedded tissue from a series of 72 colorectal carcinomas. Using immunocytochemistry and in situ hybridization it was found that E-cadherin expression was related inversely to tumor differentiation. Out of 44 well- and moderately differentiated tumors, 36 expressed good positivity, whereas 24 of 28 poorly differentiated tumors were E-cadherin-negative. Classification by Dukes stage revealed a highly significant difference (P << 0.001) between A and B (32 positive, four negative) and C1 and C2 (seven positive, 29 negative) stages in terms of immunoreactivity. Of the 32 lymph node metastases studied, 20 were negative for E-cadherin expression, as were seven of eight liver metastases. These results indicate that the down-regulation of E-cadherin levels in vivo is associated with the dedifferentiation, progression, and metastasis of colorectal cancer.
Dorudi
S
S
Imperial Cancer Research Fund Colorectal Cancer Unit, St. Mark's Hospital, London, United Kingdom.
Sheffield
J P
JP
Poulsom
R
R
Northover
J M
JM
Hart
I R
IR
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D015820:Cadherins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D013194:Staining and Labeling
D015820:Cadherins; D012333:RNA, Messenger