[Relationship between abnormal expression of beta-catenin in gastric carcinoma and survival].
OBJECTIVE
Altered cell adhesion has a critical role in the development of epithelial cancers. E-cadherin act on the maintenance of cell-cell adhesion and its function was thought to be regulated by associated cytoplasmic proteins, such as alpha-catenin and beta-catenin. This study was designed to examine the expression of beta-catenin in gastric carcinoma and to determine the relationship between tumor characteristics and survival.


METHODS
Immunohistochemical staining of beta-catenin and E-cadherin was performed in 148 patients with gastric carcinoma.


RESULTS
Abnormal expression of beta-catenin and E-cadherin was performed in 148 patients with gastric carcinoma.


RESULTS
Abnormal expression of beta-catenin and E-cadherin was demonstrated in 43.2% and 44.6% of tumors respectively. Up to 63% of tumors stained abnormally for one or two components of the cadherin-catenin complex (beta-catenin, E-cadherin). Abnormal beta-catenin and E-cadherin staining occurred more frequently in poor differentiated tumor than in good differentiated tumors (P < 0.005, respectively). There was a significant correlation between abnormal beta-catenin expression and depth of invasion(P < 0.025). Moreover, abnormal beta-catenin expression was more frequent in tumors with positive lymph node metastasis (45/84, 53.6%) and distance metastasis(21/31, 67.7%) than in tumors without lymph node metastasis (19/64, 29.7%) (P < 0.005) and distance metastasis (43/117, 36.8%) (P < 0.005). A survival advantage was noted in tumors retaining normal membranous expression of beta-catenin, independent of type, grade, or stage (P < 0.005).


CONCLUSIONS
Abnormal expression of the E-cadherin-catenin complex occurs frequently in gastric carcinoma. The close correlation with poor survival suggests that abnormal beta-catenin may be a useful prognostic marker.
Zhou
Yong-ning
YN
Department of Gastroenterology, First Affiliated Hospital, Lanzhou Medical College, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China. yongningzhou@sina.com.cn
Li
Min
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015820:Cadherins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D015996:Survival Rate; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D051176:beta Catenin
C495270:CTNNB1 protein, human; D015820:Cadherins; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D015534:Trans-Activators; D051176:beta Catenin