Analysis of epithelial-cadherin and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2/ expression in gastric carcinoma using immunohistochemistry.

Abstract

CONTEXT:

Gastric adenocarcinoma (GAC) is a common malignancy with high mortality-rate. Analysis of molecular markers could form a foundation for the future use of targeted therapies to reduce morbidity and mortality.

AIMS:

To find the prevalence and relation of epithelial cadherin (E-cadherin) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2/neu) protein expression with histological type and grade of GAC using immunohistochemistry (IHC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

A total of 100 cases of GAC diagnosed over a 2 year period were studied. Expression of E-cadherin and HER-2/neu was analyzed by IHC in relation to the histological type and grade.

RESULTS:

Of the 100 cases of GAC studied, 11 revealed a loss of E-cadherin and over-expression of HER-2/neu was seen in 17 cases. Loss of E-cadherin was seen in 50% of signet ring-cell carcinomas but only in 8% of tubular and none of papillary and mucin-secreting GAC (P = 0.003). Of all the cases of tubular GAC with loss of E-cadherin expression, majority (71.4%) were Grade III (P = 0.04). Of all the tubular GAC cases with an over-expression of HER-2/neu, 20% and 67% were Grade I and II GAC respectively while only 13% were Grade III (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS:

Although poorly-differentiated tumors show loss of E-cadherin, better-differentiated tumors over-express HER-2/neu protein. Signet ring-cell carcinoma is more likely to exhibit a loss of E-cadherin protein. Targeted therapy toward HER-2/neu in GAC should be considered. Novel therapy to block E-cadherin down-regulation is justified.

• Authors: Khushboo Dewan, Renu Madan, Prasanta Sengupta, Reena Bharadwaj
• Journal: Indian journal of pathology & microbiology (Indian J Pathol Microbiol) 2015 Apr-Jun Vol. 58 Issue 2 Pg. 154-7 ISSN: 0974-5130 [Electronic] India
• PMID: 25885125 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Cadherins
• ERBB2 protein, human
• Receptor, ErbB-2

Topics

• Adenocarcinoma (diagnosis, pathology)
• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Cadherins (analysis)
• Female
• Humans
• Immunohistochemistry (methods)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Receptor, ErbB-2 (analysis)
• Severity of Illness Index
• Stomach Neoplasms (diagnosis, pathology)