The role of E-cadherin/catenin complex in laryngeal cancer.
In this review the role of the epithelial E-cadherin/catenin complex in cases of laryngeal cancer is discussed. Cancer of the larynx remains the second most common head and neck malignancy. The E-cadherin/catenin complex expression is abnormal in laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas. Loss or reduction of E-cadherin expression is especially observed in supraglottic larynx cancer in relation with poor histological differentiation and/or lymph nodes metastases. Controversial results in some studies regarding the role of the E-cadherin/catenin complex in various anatomical parts of the larynx have been reported. Further studies are needed to establish the importance of the E-cadherin/catenin complex as a potential biomarker in laryngeal cancer diagnosis and prognosis.
Mittari
E
E
Department of Physiology, Clinical Unit, Medical Faculty, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece.
Charalabopoulos
A
A
Batistatou
A
A
Charalabopoulos
K
K
D000818:Animals; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis; D015820:Cadherins / Q000378:metabolism*; D051177:Catenins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D018307:Neoplasms, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D015820:Cadherins; D051177:Catenins