E-cadherin expression in bladder cancer using formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues: Correlation with histopathological grade, tumour stage and survival
✍ Scribed by Konstantinos N. Syrigos; Thomas Krausz; Jonathan Waxman; Hardev Pandha; Gail Rowlinson-Busza; Julia Verne; Agamemnon A. Epenetos; Massimo Pignatelli
- Publisher
- John Wiley and Sons
- Year
- 1995
- Tongue
- French
- Weight
- 933 KB
- Volume
- 64
- Category
- Article
- ISSN
- 0020-7136
No coin nor oath required. For personal study only.
✦ Synopsis
To determine the potential prognostic value of epithelial cadherin (E-cadherin), a Ca2+-dependent cell-cell adhesion molecule, we have analysed its immunoreactivity and cellular localisation in 67 transitional cell carcinomas (TCC) using an avidin-biotin immunoperoxidase technique on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues. These results were correlated with histopathological grade, tumour stage, presence of metastases and survival. In addition, 10 cystitis and I I normal bladder biopsies were evaluated as controls. E-cadherin was expressed in a normal membranous pattern in all normal and 7 of 10 cystitis biopsies. Loss of normal surface E-cadherin expression was found in 3 of I5 superficial tumours and in 48 of 52 invasive cancers. Abnormal immunoreactivity was strictly related to tumour differentiation and stage. Fifteen of 20 well-differentiated (grade I) tumours showed preserved membranous Ecadherin immunoreactivity, while 46 of 47 moderate and poorly differentiated tumours (grades II and 111) demonstrated abnormal staining patterns. Loss of membranous E-cadherin immunoreactivity was also associated with advanced turnour stage.
There was a significantly higher 5-year survival rate for patients with preserved membranous staining compared with patients with abnormal staining.