Loss of p120ctn in human colorectal cancer predicts metastasis and poor survival.
The p120ctn protein (formerly p120CAS) is an armadillo family member that associates directly with the cytoplasmic tail of E-cadherin and participates in the junctional complex responsible for cell-cell adhesion. Since reduced cell-cell adhesion is associated with metastasis in colorectal cancer and other neoplasms, we hypothesize that reduced expression of p120ctn may be related to metastasis in colorectal tumors. Here we describe a study of p120ctn expression in 44 primary human colorectal adenocarcinomas. As detected by immunohistochemical methods, we find altered p120ctn staining patterns in 86% of the cases. Regional complete loss of expression is seen in 18% of the cases, and it correlates with high stage disease and nodal metastasis as well as decreased survival. Although this is a preliminary study, it suggests that downregulation of p120ctn in colon cancer may be associated with metastasis and poor clinical outcome.
Gold
J S
JS
Department of Surgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA.
Reynolds
A B
AB
Rimm
D L
DL
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D051177:Catenins; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010750:Phosphoproteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D016019:Survival Analysis; D000095002:Delta Catenin
D051177:Catenins; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D010750:Phosphoproteins; D000095002:Delta Catenin; C000722347:CTNND1 protein, human