E-CADHERIN AND INTEGRIN CELL-ADHESION MOLECULE EXPRESSION IN INVASIVEAND IN-SITU CARCINOMA OF THE CERVIX

Integrin and E-cadherin cell adhesion molecules are important in the m aintenance of normal epithelial structures, and altered expression of these molecules may be important in epithelial tumors, particularly in the processes of invasion and metastasis. This study examines the imm unohistochemical expression of the alpha 2 beta 1, alpha 3 beta 1, alp ha 6, and beta 4 integrins and of E-cadherin in high-grade cervical in traepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and in invasive carcinoma of the cervix. Abnormal expression of E-cadherin and of all of the integrin subunits examined was detected in the dysplastic epithelium in CIN in the majo rity of cases, but in a minority of cases this expression was lost in the superficial layers of the dysplastic epithelium. Diffuse expressio n of E-cadherin and of all of the integrins was seen in the majority o f cases of invasive cervical carcinoma. Abnormal expression of integri n cell adhesion molecules occurs in the majority of cases of high-grad e GIN, and E-cadherin expression is retained in the dysplastic epithel ium. Diffuse expression of integrins and of E-cadherin also occurs in invasive carcinoma, but as the expression pattern was similar in all c ases of carcinoma, no correlation with outcome is possible and the sig nificance of this expression is unclear. (C) 1997 Academic Press.