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Clinicopathologic evaluation of immunohistochemical E‐cadherin expression in human gastric carcinomas
Author(s) -
Shino Yoshihide,
Watanabe Akihiko,
Yamada Yukishige,
Tanase Masahiro,
Yamada Takashi,
Matsuda Masahiko,
Yatnashita Jun,
Tatsumi Mitsutoshi,
Miwa Takeshi,
Nakano Hiroshige
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0142(19951201)76:11<2193::aid-cncr2820761104>3.0.co;2-2
Subject(s) - cadherin , immunohistochemistry , medicine , metastasis , pathology , cancer , adenocarcinoma , carcinoma , lymph node , cell , biology , genetics
Background . E‐cadherin plays a crucial role in cell‐cell adhesion in epithelial tissues. Recent studies have shown a correlation between decreased E‐cadherin expression and cancer cell detachment. Methods . The expression of E‐cadherin was immunohistochemically analyzed using antihuman E‐cadherin antibody in 121 cases of human gastric carcinoma. Results . In noncancerous areas, the epithelial cells, including those with intestinal metaplasia, were stained positively in the plasma membrane. In contrast, E‐cadherin expression of the cancer cells varied from case to case in primary and secondary sites. Tumors with a decrease in E‐cadherin occurred significantly more frequently in undifferentiated adenocarcinoma ( P < 0.05) and scirrhous type ( P < 0.01). The rate of E‐cadherin‐negative tumors was higher in patients with peritoneal metastasis ( P < 0.01) or in those with distant lymph node metastasis ( P < 0.01), though the tumors with liver metastasis had relatively positive E‐cadherin expression. Patterns of initial recurrence had similar results. Reduction or loss of E‐cadherin expression correlated with shorter survival in patients after curative operation regardless of stage of disease. Conclusions . The decreased E‐cadherin expression correlates with dedifferentiation, infiltrative tumor growth, distant metastasis, and poor survival for patients with gastric carcinoma. Thus, immunohistochemical study of E‐cadherin may have clinicopathologic value for patients with gastric carcinoma. Cancer 1995; 76:2193–201.