Micrometastasis in the bone marrow of patients with lung cancer associated with a reduced expression of E-cadherin and beta-catenin: risk assessment by immunohistochemistry.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The presence of disseminated tumor cells in bone marrow is considered to be a premetastatic state, which is called micrometastasis. To evaluate the relationship between micrometastasis and cellular adhesion molecules in the primary lesion, E-cadherin and beta-catenin were immunohistochemically investigated. Methods. Fifty-eight patients with non-small cell lung cancer who underwent a complete resection were entered into this study. Tumor cells in bone marrow aspirates were detected by immunohistochemistry using cytokeratin (CK) 18. Immunohistochemical studies of E-cadherin and beta-catenin were performed in the corresponding primary tumor.

RESULTS:

CK-positive cells were detected in the bone marrow aspirates from 27 of 58 patients. A reduced expression of the E-cadherin and beta-catenin was found in 16 (27.6%) and in 22 (37.9%) of 58 patients, respectively. In 26 cases with a reduced expression of E-cadherin and/or beta-catenin, 16 cases had CK-positive cells, whereas 11 of 32 cases with normal expression of both factors had CK-positive cells (P=.0392). The patients with micrometastasis demonstrated an earlier recurrence (P =.0642) and a significantly poorer survival (P =.0437) than those without such cells.

CONCLUSIONS:

Micrometastasis in the bone marrow might be a significant predictor of poor prognosis, and a reduced expression of E-cadherin and beta-catenin are important determinants for the metastatic capability of individual cancer cells.

• Authors: Kenji Sugio, Shinichiro Kase, Takashi Sakada, Koji Yamazaki, Masafumi Yamaguchi, Kaoru Ondo, Tokujiro Yano
• Journal: Surgery (Surgery) Vol. 131 Issue 1 Suppl Pg. S226-31 (Jan 2002) ISSN: 0039-6060 [Print] United States
• PMID: 11821816 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• CTNNB1 protein, human
• Cadherins
• Cytoskeletal Proteins
• Trans-Activators
• beta Catenin
• Keratins

Topics

• Adenocarcinoma (mortality, secondary)
• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Bone Marrow Neoplasms (mortality, secondary)
• Cadherins (analysis, biosynthesis)
• Carcinoma, Squamous Cell (mortality, secondary)
• Cytoskeletal Proteins (analysis, biosynthesis)
• Disease-Free Survival
• Female
• Humans
• Immunohistochemistry
• Keratins (analysis)
• Lung Neoplasms (mortality, pathology, physiopathology)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Predictive Value of Tests
• Prognosis
• Risk Factors
• Survival Rate
• Trans-Activators
• beta Catenin