title: beta-catenin expression pattern in primary oral squamous cell carcinoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Beta-catenin, a 92 kDa protein that binds to the cytoplasmic tail of E-cadherin, has an essential role in intercellular adhesion and signal transduction. Aberrant expression of beta-catenin has been associated with progression and metastasis of various human cancers. The aim of this study was to elucidate the expression pattern of beta-catenin in primary oral squamous cell carcinoma and examine the correlation between beta-catenin expression and tumor differentiation, histological grade and lymph node status as well as its clinical significances.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-six patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma and sixteen metastatic lymph nodes were studied. The beta-catenin expression was determined by immunohistochemical staining. The correlation with clinical, histological data was analyzed statistically.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Normal oral epithelium showed strong beta-catenin expression at the cell membrane, but no cytoplasmic or nuclear expression. Different degrees of reduced expression of beta-catenin at the cell membrane were found in 54 cases with squamous cell carcinoma (71%). Cytoplasmic beta-catenin expression was found in 17 tumors (22.4%). Three cases were found with nuclear beta-catenin expression. In sixteen lymph nodes with metastatic squamous cell carcinoma, negative beta-catenin expression at the cell membrane was seen in 13 tumors (81.2%) and weak expression in 3 tumors (18.8%). Statistical analysis showed that there was an inverse correlation between beta-catenin expression and lymph node status and histological grade of tumors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Reduced beta-catenin expression at the cell membrane is clearly associated with lymph node metastasis. A reduced expression of beta-catenin may constitute a hallmark of aggressive biological behavior of squamous cell carcinoma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Zhi-gang
authors.initials: ZG
authors.lastname: Cai
authors.forename: Xiao-jian
authors.initials: XJ
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Ming-jie
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.forename: Cun-yu
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Guang-yan
authors.initials: GY
authors.lastname: Yu
mesh_terms: D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000737:chemistry; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology; D051176:beta Catenin / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D051176:beta Catenin