Paradoxical expression of E-cadherin in prostatic bone metastases.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether the calcium-dependent cell adhesion molecule E-cadherin is expressed in metastatic deposits of prostate cancer in bone.


METHODS
Ten bone biopsies containing metastatic deposits of untreated prostatic cancer were obtained and immunohistochemically stained for E-cadherin with the monoclonal antibody HECD-1, using the streptavidin-biotin complex technique. Benign prostatic tissue was used as the control.


RESULTS
Of the 10 specimens, nine showed positive expression of E-cadherin, graded as strong in four. E-cadherin expression was strongest in well-differentiated metastases and decreased with increasing tumour grade. In some specimens there were mixed patterns of expression.


CONCLUSIONS
E-cadherin is strongly expressed in prostatic bone metastases and the degree of expression appears to reflect local tumour grade. This suggests that loss of E-cadherin expression may not be critically linked to metastatic potential.
Bryden
A A
AA
Department of Urology, University Hospital of South Manchester, UK.
Freemont
A J
AJ
Clarke
N W
NW
George
N J
NJ
D001706:Biopsy / Q000379:methods; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000556:secondary; D015820:Cadherins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*
D015820:Cadherins