[Expression of E-cadherin and its clinical significance in non-small cell lung cancer].
BACKGROUND
To investigate the expression and clinical significance of E-cadherin (E-Cad) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and its metastatic lymph nodes.


METHODS
E-Cad expression was detected in 30 normal lung tissues , 61 cancerous tissues and 41 metastatic lymph nodes by immunohistochemical method.


RESULTS
In all of the normal epithelial cells , expression of E-Cad was clearly evident on cell-cell boundaries. Abnormal expression rate of E-Cad in primary NSCLC and metastatic lymph nodes were 52. 46 % and 63. 41 % respectively , and no significant difference was found between the two groups ( P > 0. 05) . The abnormal E-Cad expression in lung cancer was closely related to the P-TNM stages , pathological grades and lymph node involvement ( P < 0. 001-0. 05) , but not to the histological classification of the cancer ( P > 0. 05) .


CONCLUSIONS
E-Cad might be a valuable marker in assessing biological behavior and metastatic potential of NSCLC.
Yang
S
S
Department of Respiratory Medicine , The Second Affiliated Hospital , Xi'an Medical University , Xi'an , Shanxi 710004 , P. R. China.
Yang
D
D
Wang
S
S
Zhang
W
W
Su
B
B
Wang
K
K