[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.
Sun
Bao-cun
BC
Department of Pathology, Tumor Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300060, China. sddpsy@eyou.com
Sun
Yan
Y
Zhao
Xiu-lan
XL
Liu
Yi-xin
YX
Zhang
Shi-wu
SW
Liu
Yan-xue
YX
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