Beta-catenin and E-cadherin tissue "content" as prognostic markers in left-side colorectal cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the relationship between beta-catenin and E-cadherin tissue quantitative expression (content) in tumors and clinical prognostic factors in patients with left colon cancer.


METHODS
Twenty nine patients with colon adenocarcinoma located distal to the splenic flexure were studied. Diagnosis and histological variables related to adenocarcinoma prognosis were evaluated using hematoxylin-eosin. Beta-catenin and E-cadherin were analysed by immunohistochemistry with specific anti-beta-catenin and anti-E-cadherin monoclonal antibodies. Tissue quantitative expression (content) was determined by computer assisted image analysis method. Results were analysed with statistical tests, adopting a significance level of 5%.


RESULTS
There are correlations between beta-catenin and TNM stage (p< 0.01). There are progressively greater amounts of beta-catenin in patients with deeper invasion of the tumor in colon layers (p=0.03), progressive lymph node involvement (p=0.05), as well as in patients with distant metastasis (p=0.04). Worse histological grades are related to lower expression of E-cadherin in tumor tissue (p=0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
E-cadherin can be used as an indicator of tumor differentiation degree, whereas beta-catenin can be used as a predictor of invasion depth and spread of distal colorectal cancer.
São Francisco University Medical School, Bragança Paulista, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Natalia Peres
NP
Martinez
Danilo Toshio
DT
Kanno
José Aires
JA
Pereira
Izilda Aparecida
IA
Cardinalli
Denise Gonçalves
DG
Priolli
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis; D015820:Cadherins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen / Q000097:blood; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D011379:Prognosis; D051176:beta Catenin / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D015820:Cadherins; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen; D051176:beta Catenin