Modulation of E-cadherin expression and morphological phenotype in the intravascular component of adenocarcinomas.
E-cadherin is a morphoregulatory epithelial cell/cell adhesion molecule whose loss from carcinomas probably contributes to a more invasive tumour phenotype. Employing an immunohistochemical technique on 25 adenocarcinomas (8 from stomach, 10 breast, 7 colon) we compared E-cadherin expression and tumour morphology of carcinoma that had invaded vascular spaces with that of extravascular carcinoma, both in primary tumours and in their lymph node metastases. In 40% of cases either at the primary site, in the lymph node metastasis or at both sites, E-cadherin levels were higher in the often tiny intravascular tumour compartment than in the adjacent and much larger extravascular tumour compartment. In no tumour was the highest area of E-cadherin expression present within the extravascular compartment. Increases in the differentiation and cohesion of intravascular tumour occurred in 16% and 20% of cases, respectively. In 3 of 4 cases showing increased differentiation, but in only 1 of 5 cases showing increased cohesion, these morphological changes were associated with increased intravascular E-cadherin levels.
Cowley
G P
GP
Department of Histopathology, University College London Medical School, UK.
Smith
M E
ME
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D015820:Cadherins / Q000378:metabolism*; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015820:Cadherins