E-cadherin and β-catenin are important epithelial adhesion molecules in normal epithelium. Loss of E-cadherin - β-catenin adhesion is an important step in the progression of many epithelial malignancies. β-catenin plays also a role in intracellular signaling and can function as an oncogene when binds to the T-cell factor 4 (Tcf4)-binding site in the promotor region of cyclin D1 and transactivates genes after translocation to the nucleus. We evaluated the immunohistochemical expression pattern of E-cadherin, β-catenin in relationship with cyclin D1 overexpression, tumor stage, clinicopathologic parameters and patient survival in 128 mammary infiltrating duct carcinomas. The expression of E-cadherin/β-catenin complex and β-catenin/cyclin D1 double staining with confocal scanning laser microscope was evaluated. There were aberrant expressions in 78% of E-cadherin, 79% of β-catenin, and 66% of cyclin D1 in breast cancer. There was correlation of aberrant expression of E-cadherin or β-catenin with lymph node metastasis, survival rate, and survival length. However, there was no correlation of cyclin D1 overexpression with aberrant expression of E-cadherin or β-catenin. No death was found in normal expression of β-catenin, however lowest survival (50%) was found in nuclear β-catenin expression. There was correlation of overexpression of cyclin D1 with survival rate and survival length. The highest survival rate and survival length were found in membranous normal β-catenin expression group, however significant decrement of survival length was found in the groups of aberrant expression one or both of E-cadherin or/and β-catenin. These results suggest that aberrant expression of E-cadherin, β-catenin, and cyclin D1 may be involved in tumor metastasis, and analysis of the degree or the pattern of E-cadherin, β-catenin, cyclin D1, and E-cadherin/β-catenin complex may be good prognostic markers of mammary infiltrating duct carcinoma.

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