E-Cadherin Expression in Endometrial Malignancies: Comparison between Endometrioid and Non-endometrioid Carcinomas

Yalta T., ATAY L. Ö., Atalay F., Caydere M., Gonultas M., Ustun H.

JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL RESEARCH, vol.37, no.1, pp.163-168, 2009 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 37 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 2009
  • Doi Number: 10.1177/147323000903700119
  • Journal Name: JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL RESEARCH
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.163-168
  • Keywords: E-CADHERIN, ENDOMETRIOID CARCINOMA, NON-ENDOMETRIOID CARCINOMA, CANCER CELL-LINE, BETA-CATENIN, GENE, INVASION, TUMORS, WOMEN
  • Gazi University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

This study examined the frequency of E-cadherin expression in endometrial biopsy or hysterectomy specimens from patients diagnosed with endometrial adenocarcinoma and in normal endometrial tissue specimens. E-cadherin expression was detected by immunohistochemistry using monoclonal antibody to E-cadherin. Specimens were classified as positive when >= 5% of the tumour cells showed staining for E-cadherin, irrespective of the pattern of staining. Twenty-three endometrioid carcinomas and nine non-endometrioid (four papillary serous and five clear cell) carcinomas were studied, along with 10 normal endometrial tissue specimens as controls. E-cadherin expression was significantly less frequent in non-endometrioid carcinomas compared with endometrioid carcinomas and controls. There was no statistically significant difference in the frequency of E-cadherin expression between endometrioid carcinomas and controls. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that uterine non-endometrioid (papillary serous and clear cell) carcinomas were less likely to express E-cadherin compared with endometrioid carcinomas and normal endometrial tissue. This may help to explain the more aggressive behaviour of non-endometrioid carcinomas.