A. Jawhari et al., ABNORMAL IMMUNOREACTIVITY OF THE E-CADHERIN-CATENIN COMPLEX IN GASTRIC-CARCINOMA - RELATIONSHIP WITH PATIENT SURVIVAL, Gastroenterology, 112(1), 1997, pp. 46-54
Background & Aims: The E-cadherin-catenin complex plays a critical rol
e in the maintenance of normal tissue architecture, Mutation of any of
its components is believed to result in loss of cell-cell adhesion an
d contribute to neoplasia, The aim of this study was to examine the ex
pression of E-cadherin and alpha-, gamma-, and gamma-catenin ire gastr
ic carcinoma and dysplasia and determine any relationship with tumor c
haracteristics and survival, Methods: Immunoperoxidase staining of E-c
adherin and alpha-, beta-, and gamma-catenin was performed using 89 ga
stric carcinomas, lymph node metastases, and gastric biopsy specimens
from 24 patients with dysplasia and 10 healthy controls, Results: Memb
ranous staining was observed in control biopsy specimens for all compo
nents of the complex. Up to 57% of gastric dysplasia and 90% of tumors
stained abnormally for one or more components of the cadherin-catenin
complex, Abnormal E-cadherin and gamma-catenin staining occurred more
frequently in diffuse than intestinal tumors (P < 0.0005 and < 0.05,
respectively). No association with tumor grade or stage was found, A s
urvival advantage was noted in intestinal and diffuse tumors retaining
membranous expression of beta-catenin, independent of tumor type, gra
de, or stage (P < 0.005), Conclusions: Abnormal expression of the E-ca
dherin-catenin complex occurs frequently in gastric carcinoma, The clo
se correlation with poor survival suggests that abnormal beta-catenin
may be a useful prognostic marker.