Serum-soluble e-cadherin fragments in lung cancer

Aims and background: E-cadherin, also known as uvomorulin or cell-CAM 120/8 0, is one of the subclasses of cadherins, CA(2+)-dependent cell adhesion mo lecules. Several recent studies have suggested that loss of E-cadherin may be associated with tumor progression, such as in lung, gastric, hepatocellu lar, breast and prostatic carcinoma. Assessment of E-cadherin serum levels in lung cancer showed a relation to histologic type. Methods and study design: Using an enzyme immunoassay, we determined E-cadh erin serum levels in 79 patients affected with lung cancer (stage I-IV), 9 patients with breast cancer, 23 patients with different benign diseases, an d 20 healthy patients. Results: At a specificity level of 90%, E-cadherin diagnostic sensitivity w as 66.6%, 47.6% and 43.7% in patients affected with squamous cell carcinoma , small cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma, respectively. Conclusions: Preliminary results suggest the use of serum E-cadherin as a p rospective tumor marker.