ASSAY OF E-CADHERIN BY ELISA IN HUMAN BREAST CANCERS

E-cadherin is a membrane-bound adhesion glycoprotein. Loss of E-cadher in has been correlated with invasion and metastasis in model systems. Using a new ELISA, we found higher levels of E-cadherin in fibroadenom as than in primary breast cancers. Levels in primary cancers showed no significant: relationship with either tumour size, nodal status or oe strogen receptor levels. Patients with breast cancers containing low l evels of the adhesion protein had a significantly shorter disease-free interval than patients with high levels (P=0,041), The prognostic val ue of E-cadherin, far disease-free interval, was also found in node-ne gative patients as well as in patients presenting with small tumors (l ess than or equal to 2 cm). In conclusion, loss of E-cadherin expressi on in human breast cancers is associated with increased metastatic pot ential as has previously been found in model systems. Loss of E-cadher in is thus likely to contribute to breast cancer progression. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.