Beta-catenin and E-cadherin tissue "content" as prognostic markers in left-side colorectal cancer.

Abstract

AIM:

To investigate the relationship between beta-catenin and E-cadherin tissue quantitative expression (content) in tumors and clinical prognostic factors in patients with left colon cancer.

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

Twenty nine patients with colon adenocarcinoma located distal to the splenic flexure were studied. Diagnosis and histological variables related to adenocarcinoma prognosis were evaluated using hematoxylin-eosin. Beta-catenin and E-cadherin were analysed by immunohistochemistry with specific anti-beta-catenin and anti-E-cadherin monoclonal antibodies. Tissue quantitative expression (content) was determined by computer assisted image analysis method. Results were analysed with statistical tests, adopting a significance level of 5%.

RESULTS:

There are correlations between beta-catenin and TNM stage (p< 0.01). There are progressively greater amounts of beta-catenin in patients with deeper invasion of the tumor in colon layers (p=0.03), progressive lymph node involvement (p=0.05), as well as in patients with distant metastasis (p=0.04). Worse histological grades are related to lower expression of E-cadherin in tumor tissue (p=0.01).

CONCLUSIONS:

E-cadherin can be used as an indicator of tumor differentiation degree, whereas beta-catenin can be used as a predictor of invasion depth and spread of distal colorectal cancer.

• Authors: Natalia Peres Martinez, Danilo Toshio Kanno, José Aires Pereira, Izilda Aparecida Cardinalli, Denise Gonçalves Priolli
• Journal: Cancer biomarkers : section A of Disease markers (Cancer Biomark) 2010-2011 Vol. 8 Issue 3 Pg. 129-35 ISSN: 1875-8592 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 22012768 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Monoclonal
• Biomarkers, Tumor
• Cadherins
• Carcinoembryonic Antigen
• beta Catenin

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Antibodies, Monoclonal (immunology)
• Biomarkers, Tumor (analysis)
• Cadherins (analysis, immunology)
• Carcinoembryonic Antigen (blood)
• Colorectal Neoplasms (chemistry, diagnosis, mortality, pathology)
• Female
• Humans
• Immunohistochemistry
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Neoplasm Invasiveness
• Prognosis
• beta Catenin (analysis, immunology)