Derangement of the E-cadherin/catenin complex is involved in transformation of differentiated to anaplastic thyroid carcinoma.
BACKGROUND
Anaplastic thyroid cancer arises, or transforms, from pre-existing differentiated thyroid cancer. E-cadherin functions as a cell-cell adhesion molecule that complexes with catenin proteins for function. The objective of this study was to evaluate the change in E-cadherin/beta-catenin expression in the transformation of differentiated to anaplastic thyroid carcinoma.


METHODS
A tissue microarray was constructed from 12 anaplastic thyroid tumors and their adjacent associated differentiated foci. Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate tumor expression of E-cadherin and beta-catenin.


RESULTS
There was decreased expression of E-cadherin and beta-catenin by the anaplastic tumors when compared with the differentiated thyroid tumors from which they evolved. The expression of E-cadherin and beta-catenin was 92% and 67%, respectively, by the differentiated thyroid carcinoma, and 17% and 50%, respectively, by the anaplastic tumors.


CONCLUSIONS
This report shows that derangement of the E-cadherin/catenin complex is associated with the transformation of differentiated into anaplastic thyroid carcinoma.
Wiseman
Sam M
SM
Department of Surgery, St. Paul's Hospital, University of British Columbia, C303-1081 Burrard St., Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V6Z-1Y6. smwiseman@providencehealth.bc.ca
Masoudi
Hamid
H
Niblock
Paddy
P
Turbin
Dmitry
D
Rajput
Ashish
A
Hay
John
J
Filipenko
Douglas
D
Huntsman
David
D
Gilks
Blake
B
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000708:Anaplasia; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D051177:Catenins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000378:metabolism*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D051176:beta Catenin / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D051177:Catenins; D051176:beta Catenin