Prognostic significance of dysadherin and E-cadherin expression in patients with head and neck cancer treated by radiation therapy.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of dysadherin and E-cadherin expression on the clinical outcomes, including the treatment outcomes and recurrence pattern, in patients with head and neck cancer.


METHODS
Tumor specimens were obtained from 48 head and neck cancer patients who were treated by radiation therapy and the specimens were immunohistochemically stained for dysadherin and E-cadherin. The expressions were graded according to the percentage area occupied by cancer cells showing positive staining for E-cadherin and dysadherin as follows: grade 0, less than 10%; grade 1, 10-50%; grade 2, more than 50%. The correlations between the expression of E-cadherin and dysadherin and the clinical outcomes, including the treatment outcomes and recurrence pattern, were analyzed.


RESULTS
The complete response (CR) rate in the patients with a dysadherin expression grade of 0 or 1 was 70% and that in the patients with dysadherin expression grade of 2 was 38%; the difference was significant (p < 0.05). Regarding the pattern of recurrence, the expression grade of dysadherin or E-cadherin alone was not correlated with the recurrence pattern; however, patients with a difference in the expression grade between dysadherin and E-cadherin (Dys-Ecad value) of 1 or 2 showed a significantly higher rate of lymph node and/or distant metastasis (55%) as compared with those with a Dys-Ecad value of < 1 (22%) (p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Dysadherin and E-cadherin expression might serve as useful prognostic factors in patients with head and neck cancer treated by definitive radiation therapy.
Muramatsu
Hiroyuki
H
Department of Radiology, Tokyo Women's Medical University School of Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8666, Japan.
Akimoto
Tetsuo
T
Maebayashi
Katsuya
K
Kita
Midori
M
Mitsuhashi
Norio
N
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015820:Cadherins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007473:Ion Channels; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008840:Microfilament Proteins; D008875:Middle Aged; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000378:metabolism; D011379:Prognosis; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
D015820:Cadherins; C451410:FXYD5 protein, human; D007473:Ion Channels; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D008840:Microfilament Proteins; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins