E-CADHERIN AS A FUNCTIONAL MARKER OF THE DIFFERENTIATION AND INVASIVENESS OF SQUAMOUS-CELL CARCINOMA OF THE HEAD AND NECK

The cell-cell-adhesion molecule E-cadherin is necessary for the mainte nance of the epithelial cellular structure. We were able to show a cor relation between decreasing E-cadherin expression, de-differentiation and increased invasiveness in a cell line model. We studied 73 squamou s cell carcinomas from the upper aerodigestive tract using the immunof luorescent method to demonstrate expression of E-cadherin. Decreased E -cadherin expression correlated with a decreased grade of differentiat ion and an increased lymph node metastatic rate. This confirms the sig nificance of E-cadherin as a marker for differentiation and invasivene ss of squamous cell carcinoma of the pharynx and larynx.