E-cadherin and beta-catenin loss of expression related to bone metastasis in prostate cancer.
OBJECTIVE
E-cadherin and beta-catenin are adhesion molecules responsible for the maintenance of normal epithelial cell phenotype. A disturbance in epithelial cell adhesion, which leads to a more invasive and metastatic phenotype, is a hallmark of tumor progression. Several immunohistochemical studies have reported a strong correlation between loss of their expression to higher stage and grade in prostate carcinoma, but their influence in metastatic process is not yet known. The aim of this study is to verify the role of adhesion molecules in the progression of prostate cancer (PC), assessing the expression of E-cadherin and beta-catenin in bone metastasis.


METHODS
Twenty-eight bone metastases of prostate carcinoma were submitted to immunohistochemistry analysis for E-cadherin and beta-catenin expression. In 6 patients, we were able to assess the expression of the adhesion molecules in the primary tumors and their respective metastases. The definition of normal expression for both antibodies was strong and diffuse expression in more than 70% of tumor cells.


RESULTS
In bone metastases, there was loss of expression of E-cadherin and beta-catenin in 86% and 82%, respectively. Among the primary tumors, E-cadherin and beta-catenin expression was normal in 83% and 50% cases, respectively. Considering the 6 patients with paired primary and bone metastasis, we found loss of expression for both E-cadherin and beta-catenin in most of the cases.


CONCLUSIONS
Comparing primary PC and its metastasis, we showed persistent loss of E-cadherin and beta-catenin expression. This phenomenon may be related to metastatic potential in PC, because we have shown underexpression for E-cadherin and beta-catenin in 86% and 82% of bone metastases.
Pontes
Jose
J
Laboratory of Medical Investigation-LIM 55, Urology Department, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil. docjpjr@uol.com.br
Srougi
Miguel
M
Borra
Priscila M A
PM
Dall' Oglio
Marcos F
MF
Ribeiro-Filho
Leopoldo A
LA
Leite
Katia R M
KR
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000556:secondary; D015820:Cadherins / Q000378:metabolism*; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; D018450:Disease Progression; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007120:Immunochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D051176:beta Catenin / Q000378:metabolism*
D015820:Cadherins; D051176:beta Catenin