Cell proliferative activity and expression of cell‐cell adhesion factors (E‐cadherin, α‐, β‐, and γ‐catenin, and p120) in sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma

Abstract

Background and Objectives Sarcomatoid RCC (renal cell carcinoma) is an uncommon, but not rare, neoplasm which has been shown to have a much worse prognosis than common RCC. The current study was designed to investigate the association of proliferative activity and cell‐cell adhesion molecules with sarcomatoid RCC. Methods Proliferative activity (Ki‐67 labeling index) and expression of cell‐cell adhesion associated molecules (E‐cadherin, α‐, β‐, and γ‐catenin, and p120) were examined using immunohistochemical techniques in 11 cases of sarcomatoid RCC. Results In six patients with sarcomatous component more than 50%, five were died within 24 month after diagnosis. The expression of these molecules within the carcinomatous and sarcomatous components of sarcomatoid RCC was compared. The mean Ki‐67 labeling index in the sarcomatous components (12.6%) is statistically higher than in the carcinomatous components (3.7%) (P < 0.05). The expressions of E‐cadherin, and α‐, β‐, and γ‐catenin were statistically decreased in the sarcomatous components compared to the carcinomatous components. However, no differences were observed regarding p120 immunostaining. Conclusions The findings of the current study suggest that the range of the sarcomatous component may be a prognostic factor in RCC, and the malignant behavior of sarcomatoid RCC is due to high cell proliferative activity and decreased expressions of E‐cadherin and α‐, β‐, and γ‐catenin in the sarcomatous component. J. Surg. Oncol. 2001; 77:123–131. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

Sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma is an example of epithelial–mesenchymal transition

“…SRCC is a highly aggressive tumour composed of both epithelial and mesenchymal cells 2 3. The pathogenesis of the mesenchymal cells is not clearly understood, but it is assumed that SC undergoes a metaplastic process in which the tumour cells lose their epithelial characteristics and gain mesenchymal phenotypic qualities via EMT 2 4.…”

“…Normal E-cadherin expression plays a vital role in the maintenance of epithelial integrity and polarity, and is involved in the establishment of cell–cell adhesion 3 8 9. Loss of E-cadherin expression is associated with tumour dedifferentiation, invasion and metastasis in a variety of carcinomas, including oesophagus,10 11 breast,12 prostate13 and lung carcinoma 14…”

“…E-cadherin is normally linked to the cytoskeleton by β-catenin; proper linkage between the two is necessary for intercellular connections 3 9 15. When cells undergo EMT, β-catenin dissociates from the membrane, accumulates in the cytoplasm, and finally aggregates into the nucleus, where it acts as a transcriptional activator of Snail, a major E-cadherin transcriptional repressor 5 7 16.…”

Renal cell carcinoma with sarcomatoid and rhabdoid features: a clinico-pathological series of 74 cases

“…Si bien en esta serie se aprecia mayor incidencia del patrón de crecimiento infiltrante, multifocalidad e invasión del sistema pielocalicial que en otros trabajos, las cifras se acercan a las publicadas si la comparación se limita a los de fenotipo sarcomatoide 18,19,20,21 .…”

“…La invasión de la vena renal y/o cava se aproxima a la recogida en la literatura 7,21 y la incidencia de invasión extrarrenal, incluida la glándula suprarrenal y estructuras adyacentes, no difiere de la de series más recientes 6,22 . Otros rasgos de comportamiento agresivo, como la invasión venosa microscópica y las metástasis al diagnóstico, ganglionares y a distancia, también se sitúan en el rango de lo publicado 3,6,8,9,16,17,21,23 .…”