Immunohistochemical expression of the E-cadherin-catenin complex in gastric cancer

Background: The E-cadherin/catenin complex plays an essential role in the control of epithelial differentiation. Abnormal expression in tumors correlates with histological grade, advanced stage and poor prognosis.

Objective: To evaluate the expression pattern of E-cadherin/catenin complex in gastric carcinoma and analyze their association with tumor clinicopathological features and patient survival.

Methods: Inmunohistochemical staining of E-cadherin, alpha and ss-catenin was performed from paraffin specimens of 65 gastric carcinomas.

Results: Abnormal expression of E-cadherin, alpha and ss-catenin was demonstrated in 82%, 85% and 88% of gastric carcinomas, respectively. There was a significant correlation between abnormal expression and Lauren pathological classification and depth of infiltration, but not with tumor stage, positive lymph node metastases and survival.

Conclusions: Abnormal expression of E-cadherin, alpha and ss-catenin occurs frequently in gastric carcinoma and correlates with histological grade.