The expression of cadherin-catenin complex in association with the clinicopathologic features of early gastric cancer

Abstract

Although impaired expression of E-cadherin (E-cad) is frequently observed in tumors with aggressive histopathologic characteristics, the correlation between alpha-catenin (alpha-cat) expression and the clinicopathologic features of early gastric cancer have not been fully examined. In this study, we evaluated the expression of E-cad and alpha-cat by early gastric carcinomas, and examined the relationships between this expression and various clinicopathologic characteristics. A total of 69 specimens obtained from surgery were studied by immunohistochemistry. Reduced expression of E-cad and alpha-cat were found in 53.6% and 65.2% of the tumors, respectively, and a significant correlation was observed between the decreased expression of E-cad or alpha-cat and tumor histology, the quantity of stroma, and the infiltration pattern of the tumor. The reduced expression of alpha-cat correlated more strongly with these features than E-cadherin expression. Furthermore, alpha-cat expression was also related to the lymph node metastasis of tumors. The expression of E-cad or alpha-cat in the primary tumor was consistent with the expression of tumor cells that invaded the lymphatic vessels, but discordant with staining in the metastasized lymph nodes. In some cases, as the tumor invaded deeper, the expression of E-cad or alpha-cat changed from preserved to reduced. Our observations suggest that the reduced expression of E-cad or alpha-cat may be involved in the initial steps leading to the invasion and metastasis of early gastric cancer.

Independent histological risk factors for lymph node metastasis of superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma; implication of claudin-5 immunohistochemistry for expanding the indications of endoscopic resection

“…reported that reduced cancer cell expression of claudin‐7, but not claudin‐1, correlated with LNM in ESCC 14 . In the present study, the cutoff points between normal and abnormal expressions for these parameters were decided by using definitions of the previous studies 23,32–34 . Even when LNM was evaluated by using other cutoff points with the help of a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, statistical significance could not be found between LNM and abnormal expressions (data not shown).…”

“…14 In the present study, the cutoff points between normal and abnormal expressions for these parameters were decided by using definitions of the previous studies. 23,[32][33][34] Even when LNM was evaluated by using other cutoff points with the help of a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, statistical significance could not be found between LNM and abnormal expressions (data not shown). All of the previous studies which reported significant correlations between LNM and abnormal expressions included many cases with invasion of the proprial muscle layers or even deeper.…”

Abnormal expression of E-cadherin and β-catenin may be a molecular marker of submucosal invasion and lymph node metastasis in early gastric cancer

“…Immunohistochemical studies using surgically resected specimens have shown abnormal expression of the complex in 30±75 per cent of gastric cancers 11,14,25,33,34 . Jawhari et al 14 have reported that abnormal E-cadherin and g-catenin staining occurred more frequently in diffuse-type than intestinal-type gastric cancer.…”

“…Several studies have focused on the expression of these molecules in early gastric cancer 19,25,34 . However, previous assessments of E-cadherin±catenin complex immunoreactivity in early gastric cancer were based on comparisons with staining intensity of normal gastric epithelium and, in general, these studies combined intramucosal and submucosal carcinomas.…”

“…However, they could not be used for predicting lymph node metastasis before surgery. Xiangming et al 25,34 reported that a combination of reduced a-catenin expression and overexpression of p53 can be used to predict lymph node metastasis in early gastric cancer. In the present study, multivariate analysis did not demonstrate that abnormal bcatenin is an independent predictor of lymph node metastasis, although univariate analysis showed a signi®cant correlation between abnormal b-catenin and lymph node metastasis in early gastric cancer.…”