The prognostic value of E-cadherin, alpha-, beta-, and gamma-catenin in urothelial cancer of the upper urinary tract

OBJECTIVES: To determine the value of loss of the expression of E-cadherin and cadherin-associated molecules as useful markers for both prognosis and bladder recurrence in patients with upper urinary tract cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 61 paraffin-embedded nephroureterectomy specimens, the expression of E-cadherin and alpha-, beta-, and gamma-catenin was examined by immunohistochemical staining. To evaluate the prognostic significance, Kaplan-Meier survival curves were calculated and compared by the log-rank test. A multivariate test was performed to detect prognostic markers. RESULTS: Normal expression was found in 32 cases (52.5%) for E-cadherin, 41 cases (67.2%) for alpha-catenin, 42 cases (68.9%) for beta-catenin, and 31 cases (50.8%) for gamma-catenin. The expression patterns of E-cadherin and alpha-, beta- and gamma-catenin were significantly correlated with each other. Survival analysis showed a significant difference between normal and aberrant expression in each staining. Multivariate analysis revealed that tumor stage and the expression of E-cadherin were independent prognostic factors for cause-specific survival. In contrast, there was no significant correlation between the expression of E-cadherin and alpha-, beta-, and gamma-catenin and bladder recurrence. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest E-cadherin may be a good prognostic marker for patients with upper urinary tract cancer.     

The significance of E-cadherin and alpha-, beta-, and gamma-catenin expression in surgically treated non-small cell lung cancers of 3 cm or less in size

OBJECTIVES: Expression of the cell-cell adhesion molecules E-cadherin and alpha-, beta-, and gamma-catenin seems closely related to tumor invasiveness. The relationship between the expression and clinicopathologic characteristics in surgically resected non-small cell lung cancers of 3 cm or less in size was studied. The relationship to patient survival was analyzed. METHODS: A total of 115 patients with surgically resected lung cancers of 3 cm or less in size were enrolled in this study. Expression of E-cadherin and alpha-, beta-, and gamma-catenin was immunohistochemically measured. The chi(2) test was used to correlate this expression with clinicopathologic parameters. Their influence on patient survival was evaluated with the Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: There was a positive correlation between E-cadherin and catenin expression in lung cancers. In general, E-cadherin and catenin expression were greater in tumors that were either bronchioloalveolar carcinomas or adenocarcinomas, well differentiated, early stage, peripheral, and without vascular or pleural invasion. By using multicovariate analysis of patient survival, only early-stage and peripheral tumors were significantly favorable prognostic factors. Further analysis of the group of patients with early-stage disease showed that higher alpha-, beta-, or gamma-catenin expression was a favorable prognostic indicator. CONCLUSION: Expression of alpha-, beta-, or gamma-catenin can be used as a prognostic indicator in patients with surgically resected stage I non-small cell lung cancers of 3 cm or less in size.     

The prognostic value of E-cadherin and the cadherin-associated molecules alpha-, beta-, gamma-catenin and p120ctn in prostate cancer specific survival: a long-term follow-up study

OBJECTIVES: To determine the value of loss of expression of E-cadherin and cadherin associated molecules as prognostic markers for prostate cancer patients in a long-term follow-up study. METHODS: Sixty-five prostate cancer specimens, obtained from patients with different stages of prostate cancer who underwent a radical prostatectomy or TUR-P between 1987 and 1991, were used for immunohistochemical analysis of the expression pattern of E-cadherin, alpha-, beta-, gamma-catenin and p120(ctn). Clinical records of these patients were studied for follow-up data and the prognostic value of expression of these adhesion molecules was determined by Kaplan-Meier survival analyses and multivariable proportional hazard regression analysis. RESULTS: Normal staining patterns were found in 36 cases (55.4%) for E-cadherin, 37 cases (56.9%) for alpha-catenin, 40 cases (61.5%) for beta-catenin, 25 cases (38.5%) for gamma-catenin, and 40 cases (61.5%) for p120(ctn). Overall, a strong correlation was found between the expression of E-cadherin and other cadherin-associated molecules. The 5-year survival rates for each staining were as follows: E-cadherin (normal 79.2%, aberrant 26.8%), alpha-catenin (normal 79.2%, aberrant 26.8%), beta-catenin (normal 73.1%, aberrant 27.3%), gamma-catenin (normal 86.4%, aberrant 37.1%), and p120(ctn) (normal 72.8%, aberrant 30.0%). There was a significant difference in survival between normal and aberrant expression in each staining (log rank P < 0.0001). The proportional hazard regression model including tumor stage and Gleason score revealed alpha-catenin expression as the best prognostic marker for patients with prostate cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Our data revealed a strong correlation between E-cadherin expression and other cadherin-associated molecules. Among these markers, alpha-catenin seems the best prognostic marker for prostate cancer specific survival. Larger studies are needed to confirm this result.     

Current status of the diagnosis and treatment of thymoma

Although thymomas are rare neoplasms, they are the most common tumor of the anterior mediastinum in adults. Preferred therapy for these neoplasms is complete surgical resection. If a thymoma cannot be completely resected, postoperative radiotherapy may produce satisfactory results in controlling the tumor. Significant 5- and 10-year survival rates have been recorded for patients with advanced thymomas who have been treated by radiation therapy alone. Chemotherapy may be used in patients with unresectable thymomas as well, but the results are less promising than with radiotherapy. Combinations of radiotherapy and chemotherapy used on patients with unresectable thymomas have produced encouraging results. Surveillance of patients with thymoma should be prolonged because late recurrence (more than 5 years after initial therapy) can be expected in a significant minority of patients. Aggressive therapy of late recurrence, including resection of new tumor masses and pleural metastases, has yielded successive disease-free intervals that validate persistent treatment.     

胸腺瘤细胞中PCNA、HSP70的表达水平的研究及意义

目的 研究PCNA、HSP70在胸腺瘤细胞及正常胸腺组织中的表达水平及其临床意义。方法 用免疫组织化学链霉菌抗生物素蛋白－过氧化物酶染色法（S—P法）检测20例恶性胸腺瘤、18例良性胸腺瘤及12例正常胸腺组织细胞中PCNA、HSP70蛋白的表达水平。结果 20例恶性胸腺瘤中PCNA、HSP70蛋白阳性表达分别为80．0％（16／20）、75．0％（15／20）；18例良性胸腺瘤中PCNA、HSP70蛋白阳性表达分别为38．9％（7／18）、27．8％（5／18）；12例正常胸腺组织细胞中分别为8．3％（1／12）、0（0／12），PCNA蛋白及HSP70蛋白的表达在良、恶性胸腺瘤和正常胸腺组织三者之间差异都有显著性（P〈0．001），且在良、恶性胸腺瘤之间相比差异也均有显著性（P〈0．05）。但良性胸腺瘤和正常胸腺组织相比，PCNA及HSP70蛋白的表达差异均无显著性（P〉0.05）。结论 通过检测HSP70与PCNA在胸腺瘤的表达水平，可以判断胸腺瘤的良、恶性，为术后进一步治疗提供了有价值的参考指标。     

上皮钙黏附素和树突细胞在膀胱癌中的表达及其意义

目的探讨膀胱癌中上皮钙黏附素（E—cd）和树突细胞（DC）的表达及其与生物学行为的关系。方法免疫组织化学检测采用链霉素一生物素（LSAB）免疫酶染色法，对65例膀胱癌手术切除标本中的E—cd、DC的表达进行了对照检测，染色时用已知E—cd和S100阳性的正常膀胱黏膜及膀胱肌层内神经作阳性对照，用PBS取代一抗作阴性对照。结果65例膀胱癌中33例E—cd正常表达（50．8％），20例DC正常表达（30．8％），E—cd正常表达率在Ⅰ、Ⅱ和Ⅲ级肿瘤中分别为70．1％、66．6％和25．9％，在T^is-1期和T2-4期肿瘤中分别为80．6％和23．5％；DC正常表达率在Ⅰ、Ⅱ和Ⅲ级肿瘤中分别为76．5％、33．3％和0，在Tis-1期和T2—4期肿瘤中分别为63．3％和2．7％。在不同病理分级和临床分期的膀胱癌中，E—cd和DC的正常表达率差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。结论E—cd和DC的正常表达率均随膀胱癌的病理分级、临床分期的上升而下降，E—cd和DC正常表达者的肿瘤复发率和死亡率均显著低于异常表达表。E—cd和DC可作为预测膀胱癌生物学行为的指标之一。     

上皮钙粘附素和树突细胞在膀胱癌中的表达及临床意义

目的：探讨膀胱癌中树突细胞（ＤＣ）和上皮钙粘附素（Ｅ－ｃｄ）的表达及其与生物学行为的关系。方法：采用免疫组织化学ＬＳＡＢ法检测Ｅ－ｃｄ和ＤＣ。结果：６９例膀胱癌中３５例Ｅ－ｃｄ正常表达（５０．７％）,２２例ＤＣ正常表达（３１．９％）,Ｅ－ｃｄ正常表达率在Ⅰ,Ⅱ,和Ⅲ级肿瘤中分别为７２．２％,６５．２％和２５．０％,在Ｔｉｓ￣１期和Ｔ２￣４期肿瘤中分别为７８．８％和２５．０％。ＤＣ正常表达率在Ⅰ、Ⅱ     

E-cadherin在结直肠癌中的表达及临床病理意义

目的：探讨E-cadherin在结直肠癌中的表达及临床病理意义。方法：采用EliVisionTM plus免疫组织化学和原位杂交方法检测E-cadherin蛋白和mRNA在结直肠癌、结直肠腺瘤和结直肠癌旁正常黏膜组织中的表达。结果：E-cadherin蛋白和mRNA在结直肠癌中的阳性率显著低于结直肠腺瘤和结直肠癌旁正常黏膜组织;E-cadherin的异常表达与结直肠癌组织的分化程度、TNM分期、浸润深度及淋巴结转移相关,而与年龄、性别及肿瘤大小无关。结论：E-cadherin表达缺失在结直肠癌的发生、发展及转移过程中发挥重要作用;免疫组织化学和原位杂交2种方法在检测E-cadherin在结直肠癌中的表达上具有较高的一致性。     

结直肠癌组织中Twist和E-钙黏蛋白的表达及其相关性

目的观察Twist和E-钙黏蛋白（E-cadherin）在结直肠癌中的表达,分析两者与患者临床病理指标的关系,并探讨其在结直肠癌发生、发展中的作用以及与患者预后的关系.方法采用免疫组化EliVisionTM Plus法检测60例结直肠癌、20例结直肠腺瘤和20例癌旁正常肠黏膜中Twist蛋白的表达情况.结果 （1）Twist在结直肠癌组织中的阳性率（56.7%）显著高于腺瘤组织（10%）和癌旁正常黏膜组织（0%）;E-cadherin在结直肠癌组织中的阳性率（35%）显著低于结直肠腺瘤（70%）和癌旁正常黏膜组织（100%）;（2）Twist和E-cadherin在结直肠癌异常表达均与肿瘤分化程度、浸润深度、淋巴结转移、TNM分期有关,与年龄、性别及肿瘤大小无关.结论 Twist是结直肠癌浸润和早期转移的重要生物学指标,联合检测Twist和E-cadherin有助于判断结直肠癌的转移和预后;Twist将来可能成为结直肠癌靶向治疗的一个新靶点.     

VEGF和E-cadherin在结直肠癌中的表达及其意义

目的　研究血管内皮生长因子 (VEGF)和上皮型钙粘蛋白 (E cadherin)在结直肠癌原发灶及转移淋巴结中的表达 ,探索评估结直肠癌病人临床预后的指标。方法　通过免疫组织化学方法回顾性分析我院 32例结直肠癌标本中VEGF和E cadherin在原发灶及转移淋巴结中的表达 ,并分析其与肿瘤临床病理特征间的关系。结果　VEGF和E cadherin在结肠癌原发灶中的阳性染色主要定位于细胞膜 ,阳性表达率分别为 5 0 .0 %和 34.4 %。VEGF的阳性百分率肿瘤与局部浸润程度和淋巴结转移有关。结论　VEGF的过度表达和E cadherin的低表达与肿瘤局部浸润程度和淋巴结转移有关 ,可以作为判断结直肠癌预后的辅助指标     

Expression of E-cadherin and catenins on testis tumor

E-cadherin (ECD) is a homophilic Ca(2+)-dependent adhesion molecule associated with cell-to-cell interactions and normal growth. Recent reports have suggested that decrease or loss of ECD facilitates tumor progression and/or metastasis. ECD functions in a complex called an adherens junction, which includes several other proteins including alpha- and beta-catenin. In the present study, fresh-frozen sections from 32 testis cancers, 16 seminomas and 16 non-seminomatous germ cell tumors (NSGCT), were examined immunohistochemically. E-cadherin was not expressed on normal germ cells, but expressed on 3 (18.8%) of 16 seminomas and 10 (62.5%) of 16 NSGCTs, mainly on the epithelial component of teratoma cells. alpha-Catenin was detected on 0 (0%) of 13 seminomas and 4 (25%) of 16 NSGCTs. beta-Catenin was detected on 10 (71.4%) of 14 seminomas and 13 (81.2%) of 16 NSGCTs. ECD was detected significantly more frequently on NSGCTs than on seminomas. Immunoblot analysis confirmed the expression of ECD and beta-catenin in NSGCTs. Expression of ECD and catenins may reflect the degree of differentiation and provide some information on the character of the tumor.     

胃癌组织中E钙黏素基因启动子甲基化状态的研究

目的 研究胃癌组织中E钙黏素(E-CD)基因启动子区甲基化的状况.方法 采用甲基化特异性PCR方法,检测106例胃癌组织及其邻近小凹上皮中E-CD基因启动子区甲基化状态.结果 在慢性胃炎小凹上皮、胃癌邻近小凹上皮及胃癌组织中E-CD基因启动子区甲基化率分别为0(0/15),22.6%(25/106)和50.0%(53/106),三者之间差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.01).Ming浸润型胃癌E-CD基因启动子区甲基化率(62.7%,37/59)和Laurén弥漫型胃癌E-CD基因启动子区甲基化率(64.5%,40/62)分别明显高于Ming膨胀型胃癌甲基化率(34.0%,16/47)和Laurén肠型胃癌E-CD基因启动子区甲基化率(29.5%,13/44),二者之间差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.01).甲基化与胃癌的分化程度、浸润深度、区域淋巴结转移和pTNM分期亦有关(P＜0.05).结论 E-CD基因启动子区甲基化在胃癌组织中普遍存在,它可能是胃癌发生的早期事件.胃癌E-CD基因启动子区甲基化状态与胃癌生物学行为密切相关.     

Caveolin-1和E-cadherin在肾细胞癌中的表达及其意义

目的:探讨Caveolin-1、E-cadherin在肾细胞癌中的表达及其临床意义.方法:采用免疫组织化学EnVision法检测41例肾细胞癌切除标本中Caveolin-1和E-cadherin的表达,并分析表达情况与肿瘤的生物学行为的关系.结果:Caveolin-1在肾细胞癌中的表达阳性率为41.5%,与肿瘤分期、Fuhrman分级及患者年龄呈正相关(P<0.05);E-cadherin表达阳性率为24.4%,低于癌旁肾组织(50%),E-cadherin表达与肿瘤细胞核分级相关(P<0.05),与其他临床病理参数之间无相关性.Caveolin-1和E-cadherin两者之间表达无相关性.结论:Caveolin-1过表达及E-cadherin的异常表达,可能在肾细胞癌的生长、分化中发挥重要作用.     

前列腺癌组织中PTEN、E-Cadherin蛋白的表达及意义

目的　探讨与张力蛋白在 10号染色体同源缺失的磷酸酶 (PTEN)、上皮细胞钙黏素 (E Cad)在前列腺癌组织中的表达及其临床意义。方法　应用免疫组织化学 (SP)方法检测 4 2例前列腺癌、3例正常前列腺组织和 7例良性前列腺增生组织中PTEN、E Cad蛋白的表达。结果　前列腺癌组织中PTEN蛋白表达的阳性率为 2 6 .1% (11/ 4 2 ) ,E Cad蛋白表达的阳性率为 5 0 .0 %(2 1/ 4 2 ) ;随肿瘤细胞病理分级、临床分期程度的增高 ,癌细胞表达PTEN、E Cad蛋白阳性率降低 ,各组间比较差异有显著性 (P<0 .0 1或P <0 .0 5 ) ;正常前列腺组织和良性前列腺增生组PTEN、E Cad蛋白均呈阳性免疫反应。结论　PTEN、E Cad蛋白异常表达在前列腺癌的恶性进展中起重要作用 ,检测PTEN、E Cad蛋白表达有利于判断病期及预后。     

E—cadherin和MMP-7在食管癌组织中的表达及意义

目的 探讨E-cadherin和MMP-7在食管癌组织中的表达及与相关病理指标的关系.方法 采用免疫组织化学SP法,应用HPLAS-1000型彩色图像分析系统,检测62例患者的食管癌组织、癌旁组织及正常食管组织中的E-cadherin和MMP-7的表达情况.结果 E-cadherin在食管癌组织中表达下降,MMP-7在食管癌组织中表达上升.E-cadherin的低表达和MMP-7的高表达与食管癌的TNM分期、分化程度和淋巴结转移均呈正相关.结论 E-cadherin在食管癌组织中的低表达和/或MMP-7在食管癌组织中的高表达可能与食管癌发生发展有关.     

Twist、E-cadherin在原发性乳腺癌组织中的表达及相关性研究

目的 观察Twist蛋白和E-cadherin蛋白在乳腺癌组织中的表达情况,探讨二者在乳腺癌浸润转移过程中的作用及关系.方法 应用免疫组织化学方法（SP法）检测60例乳腺浸润性导管癌组织和30例乳腺癌旁正常组织中Twist蛋白和E-cadherin蛋白的表达情况,分析二者与乳腺癌临床病理因素的关系.结果 Twist蛋白与E-cadherin蛋白在乳腺癌组织中的阳性表达率分别为63.3％、71.6％,在癌旁正常组织中的阳性表达率分别为16.7％、90.0％,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）.Twist蛋白及E-cadherin蛋白的表达与患者年龄、肿块大小均无明显相关性（P＞0.05）,与临床分期、组织学分级和淋巴结转移具有显著相关性（P＜0.05）.Spearman相关性检验示二者之间呈负相关（P＜0.05）.结论 在原发性乳腺癌组织中,Twist蛋白呈高表达,E-cadherin蛋白呈低表达,均与乳腺癌临床分期、组织学分级和腋窝淋巴结转移情况有相关性,且二者表达呈显著负相关.提示Twist蛋白可能通过调控E-cadherin的表达,进而调控肿瘤细胞的EMT过程,促进乳腺癌的发生及转移.     

c-met、E-钙黏蛋白、β-连环蛋白在肝细胞癌中的表达及意义

目的探讨c-met、E-钙黏蛋白(E-cadherin)、β-连环蛋白(-βcatenin)在肝细胞癌(HCC)侵袭转移中的作用,旨在初步明确其在HCC预后判断中的作用。方法采用免疫组化(ABC-HRP)对47例肝细胞癌手术切除标本中c-met、E-cadherin、-βcatenin的表达进行了检测,评估c-met的表达与HCC临床病理因素的关系及与E-cadherin、-βcatenin表达的关系。结果c-met、E-cadherin、-βcatenin在肝细胞癌组织中阳性表达率分别为38.3%、59.6%、38.3%,在正常肝组织中分别为12%、84%、64%,两者比较有显著性差异(P<0.05)。c-met阳性表达率在肝细胞癌的转移(P<0.05)、淋巴浸润(P<0.05)、包膜形成(P<0.05)以及细胞分化方面有显著性差异(P<0.05);而在性别、年龄、肿瘤的大小、分期方面则没有差异。E-cadherin、-βcatenin的表达在肝细胞癌的转移(分别为P=0.032,P=0.022)、包膜形成(分别为P=0.016,P=0.034)方面的有显著性差异;c-met表达与E-cadherin、-βcatenin的异常表达比较有显著性差异(分别为P=0.023,P=0.016)。结论上述结果提示在HCC的转移中,c-met可能是通过HGF/c-met通路影响E-cadherin、-βcatenin的改变来促进细胞的扩散进而出现转移,对于HCC的转移、复发及预后判断具有意义。