[Expression of E-cadherin and beta-catenin in oral squamous cell carcinomas of tongue: correlation with the clinicopathologic features and patient prognosis].
OBJECTIVE
To examine the E-cadherin and beta-catenin expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma of tongue (OSCCT) and investigate the relationship of these markers with clinicopathologic features and patient prognosis.


METHODS
Quantitative immunohistochemistry analysis was used to examine E-cadherin and beta-catenin expression in lesions of 30 OSCCT patients. The relationship between the expression of E-cadherin and beta-catenin and clinicopathological features was analyzed.


RESULTS
The decreased expression of E-cadherin was observed in 19 of 30 (63%) tumours from patients who eventually developed a recurrent tumour and was also associated with recurrence (P=0.007). The expression of E-cadherin was associated with survival (P=0.018) and an independent prognostic factor in univariate analysis. There was no correlation between the expression level of E-cadherin and sex, age, histological differentiation, tumour size, clinical stage, or lymph node metastasis. The high expression of beta-catenin was observed in 18 of 30 (60%) tumours. No correlation between beta-catenin expression and clinicopathological features was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
The absence or reduced expression of E-cadherin was closely associated with recurrence and survival in OSCCT patients. The aberrant expression of E-cadherin may provide a useful prognostic marker in OSCCT.
Zhu
Rui
R
Institute of Stomatology, Nanjing Medical University & Department of Basic Science, Affiliated Hospital of Stomatology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China.
Jiang
Xiao-yun
XY
Song
Xiao-ling
XL
Zhang
Wei
W
Chen
Sheng
S
Liu
Lai-kui
LK
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism; D015820:Cadherins / Q000378:metabolism*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D015996:Survival Rate; D014062:Tongue Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D051176:beta Catenin / Q000378:metabolism*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D015820:Cadherins; D051176:beta Catenin