Reduced expression of dystroglycan in breast and prostate cancer

Cellular interactions with the extracellular matrix are an important factor in the development and progression of many types of cancer. Dystroglycan i s a cell surface receptor for several extracellular matrix proteins and pla ys a central role in the formation of basement membranes in tissues. Becaus e abnormalities in the structure and function of basement membranes are hal lmarks of metastatic disease, we examined the status of dystroglycan expres sion in prostate and breast tumors. In 15 cases of surgically resected pros tate cancer, we noted reduced expression of dystroglycan as judged by inten sity of immunohistochemical staining. This reduction was most pronounced in high-grade disease. We found similar results in 6 cases of mammary ductal adenocarcinoma, suggesting that reduced expression of dystroglycan may be a conserved feature of epithelial neoplasia. These data suggest that reduced expression of dystroglycan in prostate and breast cancers may lead to abno rmal cell-extracellular matrix interactions and thus contribute to progress ion to metastatic disease. Hurt PATROL 32:791-795. (C) 2001 by W.B. Saunder s Company.