title: Derangement of the E-cadherin/catenin complex is involved in transformation of differentiated to anaplastic thyroid carcinoma.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: 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
authors.forename: Sam M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Wiseman
authors.forename: Hamid
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Masoudi
authors.forename: Paddy
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Niblock
authors.forename: Dmitry
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Turbin
authors.forename: Ashish
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rajput
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hay
authors.forename: Douglas
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Filipenko
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Huntsman
authors.forename: Blake
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gilks
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D051177:Catenins; D051176:beta Catenin