Expresión inmunohistoquímica del complejo E-caderina-catenina en cáncer gástrico: Relación con variables clínico-morfológicas y sobrevida de pacientes / Immunohistochemical expression of the E-cadherin-catenin complex in gastric cancer

ABSTRACT

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. Aim: To evaluate the expression pattern of E-cadherin/catenin complex in gastric carcinoma and analyze their association with tumor clinicopathological features and patient survival. Material and 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 percent, 85 percent and 88 percent 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. Conclusion: Abnormal expression of E-cadherin, alpha and ß-catenin occurs frequently in gastric carcinoma and correlates with histological grade.