Expression of E-cadherin and beta-catenin in the adenoma-carcinoma sequence of ampulla of Vater cancer.
OBJECTIVE
Ampullary carcinoma is uncommon but provides a good model for adenoma-carcinoma sequence. During the adenoma-carcinoma transition, the tumor cells should acquire the ability to invade. The E-cadherin-catenin complex connects the adjacent epithelial cells at the zona adherens, and this adhesion interferes with the tumor cell invasion.


METHODS
111 cases of ampullary carcinoma were investigated with E-cadherin and beta-catenin expression with immunohistochemistry and the result was compared with their clinicopathologic and survival results. Forty-nine (44.1%) cases were associated with adenomatous component.


RESULTS
Expressional loss of E-cadherin was detected in 3 (6.1%) adenomas and 73 (65.8%) carcinomas, and the expressional loss was significantly associated with tumor cell differentiation (p<0.05) and survival (p<0.05) in carcinoma. In beta-catenin immunostaining, 4 (8.2%) adenomas and 45 (40.5%) carcinomas showed abnormal staining patterns either as nuclear staining or as a loss of membrane staining. The cases with membranous loss of beta-catenin expression were correlated with poor survival rate.


CONCLUSIONS
Alteration of E-cadherin and beta-catenin is a late event during the adenoma-carcinoma sequence in ampullary neoplasms, and the loss of membranous expression of both E-cadherin and beta-catenin is closely correlated with less differentiated histology and poor prognosis.
Park
Sunhoo
S
Department of Surgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Korea.
Kim
Sun Whe
SW
Lee
Byung Lan
BL
Jung
Eun Ji
EJ
Kim
Woo Ho
WH
D000236:Adenoma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D014670:Ampulla of Vater; D015820:Cadherins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D003138:Common Bile Duct Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011230:Precancerous Conditions; D051176:beta Catenin / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D015820:Cadherins; D051176:beta Catenin