E-cadherin expression associated with differentiation and prognosis in patients with non-small cell lung cancer

Ann Thorac Surg. 2001 Mar;71(3):949-54; discussion 954-5. doi: 10.1016/s0003-4975(00)02545-5.

Abstract

Background: E-Cadherin plays a major role in maintaining the intercellular junctions in epithelial tissues. The reduction of E-cadherin expression in cancer cells may be associated with tumor differentiation, metastasis, and a poor prognosis.

Methods: Immunohistochemistry for E-cadherin expression was performed on 109 tumors from patients with non-small cell lung cancer who underwent operations.

Results: With respect to membranous immunostaining, 57 carcinomas were E-cadherin-positive, 39 carcinomas E-cadherin-reduced, and 13 carcinomas E-cadherin-negative. The percentage of poorly differentiated tumors in the impaired E-cadherin expression group was significantly higher than that in the E-cadherin-positive group (p = 0.005). Furthermore, the frequency of lymph node metastases in tumors with impaired E-cadherin expression was significantly higher than that in the E-cadherin-positive tumors (p = 0.011). A Cox regression analysis revealed that E-cadherin expression was a significant factor in the prediction of survival for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (p = 0.002).

Conclusions: E-Cadherin expression was associated with tumor differentiation, lymph node metastasis, and prognosis in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

MeSH terms

  • Cadherins / biosynthesis*
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / metabolism*
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / mortality
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / pathology*
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Lung Neoplasms / mortality
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Survival Rate

Substances

  • Cadherins