[Expressions and significance of E-cadherin and beta-catenin in synovial sarcoma].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the expression and significance of E-cadherin (E-cad) and beta-catenin (beta-cat) in synovial sarcoma.


METHODS
Expression of E-cad and beta-cat in 72 cases of synovial sarcoma were detected by tissue microarray technique and immunohistochemistry. The relationships between E-cad and beta-cat expression and clinicopathological data and survival rate were analyzed.


RESULTS
(1) 95.1% of dots on the tissue microarrays were observable morphologically. The background was clear and the contrast was vivid after immunohistochemistry. (2) The expression of E-cad was reduced in 56 patients (77.8%) and that of beta-cat was reduced in 51 patients (70.8%). (3) In patients with synovial sarcoma of monophasic fibrous type, grade III, and in patients with recurrence or metastasis, CK-negative and EMA-negative the rates of reduced expression of E-cad and beta-cat were significantly higher than those with primary sarcoma of biphasic type, grade II, CK-positive and EMA positive (P < 0.05 for all). (4) The survival of synovial sarcoma patients with E-cad and beta-cat expressions preserved was significantly better than those with reduced expressions (P = 0.012, P = 0.047).


CONCLUSIONS
The expression of E-cad and beta-cat is correlated with cell differentiation. Reduced expression of E-cad and beta-cat may indicate a high potential of recurrence or metastasis and poor prognosis. Tissue microarray technique is applicable for retrospective studies of large sample size.
Department of Pathology, Tumor Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300060, China. sddpsy@eyou.com
Bao-cun
BC
Sun
Yan
Y
Sun
Xiu-lan
XL
Zhao
Yi-xin
YX
Liu
Shi-wu
SW
Zhang
Yan-xue
YX
Liu
D000328:Adult; D015820:Cadherins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D005121:Extremities; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D011379:Prognosis; D013584:Sarcoma, Synovial / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D012983:Soft Tissue Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D046888:Tissue Array Analysis; D051176:beta Catenin / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D015820:Cadherins; D051176:beta Catenin