Association of E-cadherin and beta-catenin immunoexpression with clinicopathologic features in primary ovarian carcinomas

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2004

Authors

Faleiro Rodrigues, C (Author) Other; Macedo Pinto, I (Author) Other; Pereira, D (Author) Other; Ferreira, VM (Author) Other; Lopes, C (Author) ICBAS

Journal

Title: Human Pathology

Vol. 35

Pages: 663-669

ISSN: 0046-8177

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 46 Citations

Scopus - 50 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-000-A48

DOI: 10.1016/j.humpath.2004.01.024

Abstract (EN): Epithelial cadherin forms a complex with alpha-, beta-, and gamma-catenin proteins. Reduced expression of E-cadherin-catenins has been shown in human carcinomas and is associated with low histologic differentiation, increased risk of invasion, and metastatic disease. The immunoexpression pattern of E-cadherin and beta-catenin (reduced versus preserved phenotype) was evaluated in 104 primary ovarian carcinomas and related to clinicopathologic features of the tumors. The immunoexpression pattern of E-cadherin was associated with International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) staging (P = 0.043), histologic subtype (P = 0.001), peritoneal metastasis (P = 0.006), and residual tumor (P = 0.036). The reduced phenotype of E-cadherin that was observed in 64% of the carcinomas (67/104) was associated with advanced stage tumors, serous carcinomas, presence of peritoneal metastasis, and residual tumor larger than 2 cm. The immunoexpression pattern of beta-catenin was associated with histologic subtype (P = 0.005), tumor differentiation (P = 0.025), and peritoneal metastasis (P = 0.041). The reduced phenotype of beta-catenin that was observed in 74% of the carcinomas (77/104) was associated with advanced stage tumors, poorly differentiated serous and clear cell carcinomas, presence of peritoneal metastasis, and residual tumor. The immunoexpression pattern of E-cadherin was correlated with beta-catenin (P = 0.001). The reduced phenotype for both E-cadherin and beta-catenin was associated with histologic subtype (P < 0.001) and peritoneal metastasis (P = 0.001). In conclusion, the immunohistochemical profile of E-cadherin and beta-catenin may he useful in identifying a particular subpopulation of ovarian cancer patients who are characterized by an adverse clinical outcome, because the reduced phenotype of these molecules was associated with poor tumor differentiation, peritoneal metastasis, and advanced FIGO stage tumors.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 7