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Epithelial–mesenchymal transition and clinicopathological correlation in craniopharyngioma
Author(s) -
Qi SongTao,
Zhou Jie,
Pan Jun,
Zhang Chao,
Silky Chotai,
Yan XiaoRong
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
histopathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.626
H-Index - 124
eISSN - 1365-2559
pISSN - 0309-0167
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2559.2012.04297.x
Subject(s) - vimentin , craniopharyngioma , immunohistochemistry , epithelial–mesenchymal transition , pathology , blot , western blot , catenin , cadherin , mesenchymal stem cell , medicine , biology , cancer research , oncology , cancer , cell , endocrinology , metastasis , wnt signaling pathway , biochemistry , gene , genetics
Qi S‐T, Zhou J, Pan J, Zhang C, Silky C & Yan X‐R (2012) Histopathology 61 , 711–725
Epithelial–mesenchymal transition and clinicopathological correlation in craniopharyngioma Aims: To assess the immunophenotypic changes associated with epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) in craniopharyngioma, especially at the tumour invasive front, and to correlate the findings with clinicopathological features and patient outcomes. Methods and results: Forty‐two craniopharyngiomas were investigated for the presence of EMT markers (vimentin, E‐cadherin and β‐catenin) by immunohistochemistry and western blot. The relationships between expression of these markers and various clinicopathological indicators and clinical outcomes of the tumours were analysed. There were statistically significant differences in the expression of vimentin and E‐cadherin–β‐catenin between adamantinomatous and papillary variants. The expression of vimentin and E‐cadherin (but not that of β‐catenin) in whole tumour sections was associated with tumour recurrence, and with postoperative weight and hypothalamic disturbances; the expression of vimentin and E‐cadherin–β‐catenin at the tumour invasive front was also associated with tumour recurrence, postoperative weight, and hypothalamic disturbances. The results from western blotting closely matched those of immunohistochemistry. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates, for the first time, the potential prognostic implications of vimentin, E‐cadherin and β‐catenin expression in craniopharyngiomas. EMT may represent a crucial mechanism in the progression of craniopharyngiomas.