Gastric Cancer
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2002. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Dec 15, 2002; 8(6): 987-993
Published online Dec 15, 2002. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v8.i6.987
Expression of E-cadherin and β-catenin in gastric carcinoma and its correlation with the clinicopathological features and patient survival
Yong-Ning Zhou, Cai-Pu Xu, Biao Han, Min Li, Liang Qiao, Dian-Chun Fang, Jian-Min Yang
Yong-Ning Zhou, Cai-Pu Xu, Dian-Chun Fang, Jian-Min Yang, Department of Gastroenterology, Southwest Hospital, the Third Millitary Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
Yong-Ning Zhou, Biao Han, First Teaching Hospital, Lanzhou Medical College, Lanzhou 730000 Gansu Province, China
Min Li, Department of Pathology, Lanzhou Medical College, Lanzhou 730000 Gansu Province, China
Liang Qiao, Massey Cancer Center, Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Correspondence to: Prof. Cai-Pu Xu, Department of Gastroenterology, Southwest Hospital, the Third Millitary Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China. yongningzhou@sina.com.cn
Telephone: +86-23-68754143
Received: July 4, 2002
Revised: July 22, 2002
Accepted: July 30, 2002
Published online: December 15, 2002
Abstract

AIM: The E-cadherin-catenin complex is important for cell-cell adhesion of epithelial cells. Impairment of one or more components of this complex is associated with poor differentiation and increased invasiveness of carcinomas. We evaluated the expression pattern of E-cadherin and β-catenin in gastric carcinoma and dysplasia and analyzed their relationship with tumor clinicopathological features and patient survival.

METHODS: Immunohistochemical staining of E-cadherin and β-catenin was performed from paraffin specimens of 163 gastric carcinomas, 44 gastric mucosal dysplasia, and 25 intestinal metaplasia, 28 atrophic gastritis and 12 healthy controls.

RESULTS: Normal membrane staining was observed in intestinal metaplasia, atrophic gastritis and control biopsy specimens for E-cadherin and β-catenin. 36% and 16% of gastric dysplasia were stained abnormally for E-cadherin and β-catenin respectively. Abnormal expression of E-cadherin and β-catenin was demonstrated in 46% and 44% of gastric carcinoma respectively. Abnormal expression of E-cadherin and β- catenin occurred more significantly in Borrmann III/IV than in Borrmann I/II type (P < 0.005, respectively). A significantly higher proportion of signet-ring, mucinous and tubular adenocarcinomas were abnormally expressed for E-cadherin and β-catenin as compared with papillary adenocarcinomas (χ2 = 8.47, P < 0.005, and χ2 = 7.05, P < 0.01, respectively). Morever, abnormal E-cadherin and β-catenin staining occurred more frequently in diffuse than in intestinal type of tumor (χ2 = 18.18 and 17.79, P < 0.005, respectively). There was a significant correlation between abnormal β-catenin expression and positive lymph node metastasis. A survival advantage was noted in tumors retaining normal membranous expression of β-catenin, independent of type, grade, or stage of the disease (P < 0.0005).

CONCLUSION: Abnormal expression of the E-cadherin-catenin complex occurs frequently in gatric carcinoma, closely related to its histogenesis. Abnormal expression of the E-cadherin- catenin complex in gastric dysplasia may be an early event in the tumorigenesis. The close correlation with poor survival suggests that abnormal β-catenin may be a useful prognostic marker.

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