E-cadherin and catenins in early squamous cervical carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the prognostic significance of the protein expression of E-cadherin, alpha-, beta-, and gamma-catenin in early squamous cervical carcinoma (SCC).


METHODS
We studied 219 patients who underwent radical hysterectomy and bilateral lymphadenectomy at our institution for stage IB SCC between 1987 and 1993. Immunohistochemistry using monoclonal antibodies against E-cadherin, alpha-, beta-, and gamma-catenin was used to examine protein expression. Ten patients who underwent hysterectomy for uterine prolapse served as controls.


RESULTS
Membrane expression for E-cadherin, alpha-, beta-, and gamma-catenin was decreased and low expression (< or =50% positive cells) was found in 198/219 (90%), 154/219 (70%), 157/219 (72%), and 181/219 (83%) tumors, respectively, and high (>50% positive cells) in 21/219 (10%), 65/219 (30%), 62/219 (28%), and 38/219 (17%) tumors, respectively. In univariate analysis, all classical clinicopathological parameters but none of the investigated proteins were associated with prognosis. In multivariate analysis, only deep stromal invasion was independently related to survival.


CONCLUSIONS
E-cadherin, alpha-, beta-, and gamma-catenin were not independently associated with prognosis in stage IB SCC.
Van de Putte
Gregg
G
Department of Gynecologic Oncology, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Montebello, 0310 Oslo, Norway. gregg.marijke@pandora.be
Kristensen
Gunnar B
GB
Baekelandt
Mark
M
Lie
A Kathrine
AK
Holm
Ruth
R
D000328:Adult; D015820:Cadherins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D051180:Desmoplakins; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D051178:alpha Catenin; D051176:beta Catenin; D051185:gamma Catenin
C495273:CTNNA1 protein, human; C495270:CTNNB1 protein, human; D015820:Cadherins; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D051180:Desmoplakins; C495292:JUP protein, human; D015534:Trans-Activators; D051178:alpha Catenin; D051176:beta Catenin; D051185:gamma Catenin