Expression of E-cadherin and beta-catenin in gastric carcinoma and its correlation with the clinicopathological features and patient survival.
OBJECTIVE
The E-cadherin-catenin complex is important for cell-cell adhesion of epithelial cells. Impairment of one or more components of this complex is associated with poor differentiation and increased invasiveness of carcinomas. We evaluated the expression pattern of E-cadherin and beta-catenin in gastric carcinoma and dysplasia and analyzed their relationship with tumor clinicopathological features and patient survival.


METHODS
Immunohistochemical staining of E-cadherin and beta-catenin was performed from paraffin specimens of 163 gastric carcinomas, 44 gastric mucosal dysplasia, and 25 intestinal metaplasia, 28 atrophic gastritis and 12 healthy controls.


RESULTS
Normal membrane staining was observed in intestinal metaplasia, atrophic gastritis and control biopsy specimens for E-cadherin and beta- catenin. 36 % and 16 % of gastric dysplasia were stained abnormally for E-cadherin and beta- catenin respectively. Abnormal expression of E-cadherin and beta- catenin was demonstrated in 46 % and 44 % of gastric carcinoma respectively. Abnormal expression of E-cadherin and beta- catenin occurred more significantly in Borrmann III/IV than in Borrmann I/II type (P<0.005, respectively). A significantly higher proportion of signet-ring,mucinous and tubular adenocarcinomas were abnormally expressed for E-cadherin and beta- catenin as compared with papillary adenocarcinomas (chi(2)=8.47,P<0.005, and chi(2)=7.05, P<0.01, respectively). Morever, abnormal E-cadherin and beta- catenin staining occurred more frequently in diffuse than in intestinal type of tumor (chi(2)=18.18 and 17.79, P<0.005, respectively). There was a significant correlation between abnormal beta- catenin expression and positive lymph node metastasis. A survival advantage was noted in tumors retaining normal membranous expression of beta-catenin, independent of type, grade, or stage of the disease (P<0.0005).


CONCLUSIONS
Abnormal expression of the E-cadherin- catenin complex occurs frequently in gatric carcinoma, closely related to its histogenesis. Abnormal expression of the E-cadherin- catenin complex in gastric dysplasia may be an early event in the tumorigenesis. The close correlation with poor survival suggests that abnormal beta-catenin may be a useful prognostic marker.
Zhou
Yong-Ning
YN
Department of Gastroenterology, Southwest Hospital, the Third Millitary Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China. yongningzhou@sina.com.cn
Xu
Cai-Pu
CP
Han
Biao
B
Li
Min
M
Qiao
Liang
L
Fang
Dian-Chun
DC
Yang
Jian-Min
JM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015820:Cadherins / Q000378:metabolism*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005757:Gastritis, Atrophic / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008679:Metaplasia; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology*; D016019:Survival Analysis; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000378:metabolism*; D051176:beta Catenin
C495270:CTNNB1 protein, human; D015820:Cadherins; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D015534:Trans-Activators; D051176:beta Catenin