E-CADHERIN EXPRESSION IN PAPILLARY TRANSITIONAL-CELL CARCINOMA OF THEURINARY-BLADDER

E-cadherin (ECD), a cell adhesion molecule that plays a diverse role i n cell-cell and cell-matrix interaction, has recently been associated with tumor invasion and metastasis. We evaluated the ECD expression in 55 cases of urinary bladder papillary transitional cell carcinoma usi ng a double-linked immunoalkaline phosphatase procedure on formalin-fi xed, paraffin-embedded specimens quantified as percentage positive sta ining area with the Roche RPW image analyzer (Roche Image Analysis Sys tems, Elon College, NC). The 10 grade I tumors stained intensely for E CD (66%) and showed enhanced staining compared with normal transitiona l epithelium. The 20 grade II lesions stained moderately at 45%, and t he 25 grade III lesions showed weak expression of ECD with a 33% posit ive stain. This loss of expression for high-grade versus low-grade tum ors was statistically significant (P<.02). There was a similar decreas e in E-CD expression for high-stage versus low-stage specimens with 30 stage 0 and stage A cases having an average of 51% positive stain and 25 stage B, C, and D cases having an average stain of 33%. This diffe rence was also statistically significant (P<.001). We conclude that lo ss of expression of ECD in high-grade, high-stage urinary bladder tran sitional cell carcinoma is associated with significant bladder wall in vasion, indicates potential for metastasis, and may be of clinical val ue in the assessment of prognosis and planning of therapy for patients with bladder tumors. Copyright (C) 1995 by W.B. Saunders Company