CLINICAL-SIGNIFICANCE OF E-CADHERIN AND VIMENTIN COEXPRESSION IN BREAST-CANCER

We examined the clinical significance of E-cadherin and vimentin expre ssion in 83 patients with breast dancer. E-cadherin expression was cor related with axillary metastases, histologic grade, recurrence and dis ease-free survival, but not with overall survival. On the other hand, vimentin expression was correlated with axillary metastases and histol ogic grade, but not with recurrence, disease-free or overall survival. However, the co-expression of E-cadherin and vimentin was associated with axillary metastases, histologic grade and recurrence, and appeare d as the most important prognostic factor in disease-free and overall survival. We therefore concluded that E-cadherin and vimentin expressi on in combination might provide prognostic information for breast canc er patients.