Purpose: E-cadherin is a Ca (2+)-dependent cell adhesion molecule that plays an important role in normal growth and development via the mediation of homotypic, homophilic cell-cell interactions. Recent studies suggest that E-cadherin may also be important in neoplastic progression, particularly as a suppressor of invasion.
Methods: To evaluate the expression of E-cadherin, according to the histopathological features and the relation between E-cadherin and prognosis in breast carcinoma, immunohistochemical staining, using mouse HECD-1 was performed for 66 cases of breast carcinoma.
Results: The breast carcinomas showed loss or marked reduction of E-cadherin expression in 42 (63.6%) of the 66 cases. In a multivariate analysis, E-cadherin expression had no independent prognostic value, while the axillary lymph node status, tumor diameter, and TNM stage were independent prognostic factors. The results indicate that E-cadherin expression was related to several histological features in breast cancer, but had no independent prognostic value over standard prognostic factors. No significant correlation was found between E-cadherin expression and tumor size, stage, nuclear grade, lymph node status, histologic type, or hormonal status.
Conclusion: The loss or marked reduction of E-cadherin expression in breast carcinomas was not related to the prognosis of the patients. (Journal of Korean Breast Cancer Society 2004;7:148-153)
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