The E-cadherin cell-cell adhesion pathway in urologic malignancies.
Alterations in the E-cadherin-mediated cell-cell adhesion pathway are commonly observed in urologic malignancies. This issue has been addressed most thoroughly in prostate cancer. Whereas both cadherin and catenin dysfunction have been seen in human prostate cancers, only down-regulation of E-cadherin has been shown for bladder cancer and renal-cell carcinoma. Although studies in bladder cancer and renal-cell carcinoma are less mature than studies in prostate cancer, they support the hypothesis that immunostaining for E-cadherin may be of significance for both diagnostic and prognostic purposes. Finally, the E-cadherin-mediated cell-cell adhesion pathway may represent a novel chemotherapeutic target for bladder cancer, prostate cancer, and renal-cell carcinoma. Obviously, more work lies ahead to translate these important observations from the bench to the bedside.
Morton
R A
RA
Scott Department of Urology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
Ewing
C M
CM
Watkins
J J
JJ
Isaacs
W B
WB
D015820:Cadherins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D002292:Carcinoma, Renal Cell / Q000503:physiopathology; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology; D014571:Urologic Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy
D015820:Cadherins