title: Expression of E-cadherin, P-cadherin and beta-catenin in canine malignant mammary tumours in relation to clinicopathological parameters, proliferation and survival.
abstract: Cadherin-catenin complexes play a critical role in intercellular adhesion, and their altered expression has been implicated in tumour progression. In this study, the expression of E-cadherin, P-cadherin and beta-catenin was analysed in 65 canine malignant mammary tumours and correlated with clinicopathological parameters, proliferation and survival. Reduction in E-cadherin expression was significantly associated with increased tumour size, high histological and invasion grades, lymph node metastasis and high mitotic index. Reduced beta-catenin expression was associated with high histological and invasion grades. Anomalous expression of P-cadherin was only associated with invasion. In 39 cases for which follow-up data were available, reduced E-cadherin and beta-catenin expression was significantly associated with shorter overall survival and disease free survival. Abnormal expression of adhesion molecules is a common phenomenon in canine mammary malignant tumours and may play a central role in tumour progression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), 5001-911 Vila Real, Portugal.
authors.forename: Adelina
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gama
authors.forename: Joana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Paredes
authors.forename: Fátima
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gärtner
authors.forename: Anabela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alves
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Schmitt
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood; D015820:Cadherins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000662:veterinary; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D015674:Mammary Neoplasms, Animal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology*; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D011379:Prognosis; D016019:Survival Analysis; D051176:beta Catenin / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D015820:Cadherins; D051176:beta Catenin