Expression and localization of e-cadherin in epithelial ovarian cancer.
BACKGROUND
Findings for the role of E-cadherin in ovarian cancer (OC) are controversial. The aim of this study was to analyze the expression and prognostic role of E-cadherin in OC.


METHODS
Expression analysis of E-cadherin was performed by immunohistochemistry in 36 patients (12 primary OC, 15 recurrent OC, 9 benign ovarian lesions). Tumor specimens were collected within OC. Correlation analysis with clinicopathological factors and survival was performed.


RESULTS
E-Cadherin was significantly reduced in OC compared to benign ovarian lesions (p=0.024). In primary OC, E-cadherin was comparable in ovarian tumor and corresponding metastatic tumor tissue. E-Cadherin showed no association with clinicopathological factors. A significant correlation between increased volume of ascites and higher E-cadherin immunoexpression was found in primary OC (p=0.029). E-Cadherin expression showed no statistically prognostic significance for survival (p=0.856).


CONCLUSIONS
The function of E-cadherin in OC remains controversial and needs to be elucidated further in larger studies.
Koensgen
Dominique
D
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Ernst Moritz Arndt University Hospital Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany.
Freitag
Cornelia
C
Klaman
Irina
I
Dahl
Edgar
E
Mustea
Alexander
A
Chekerov
Radoslav
R
Braicu
Ioana
I
Lichtenegger
Werner
W
Sehouli
Jalid
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015820:Cadherins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism*; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D011379:Prognosis
D015820:Cadherins