E-cadherin expression – Significance in gastric carcinoma

Abstract

Gastric carcinoma is aggressive cancer with poor prognosis. E-cadherin is 120 kD calcium mediated transmembrane glycoprotein that forms the cell adhesion molecule which maintains the integrity of epithelial cells by keeping it cohesive. E-cadherin down regulation in gastric cancer is of great significance in the dissociation of epithelial cells, alteration of tumor microenvironment, invasion, tumor genesis and metastasis. To study the E-cadherin expression in gastric carcinoma and to correlate with the existing clinical and pathological parameters.The study included 100 confirmed cases of adenocarcinoma from gastrectomy specimens. Immunostaining was done with E-cadherin mouse monoclonal antibody and expression studied based on the staining pattern and correlated with various clinico-pathological parameters. Data was statistically analysed by chi square test with calculation of p-value.E-cadherin expression showed aberrant staining in 87% cases. E-cadherin expression showed significant correlation with histological types, tumor grade, tumor depth of invasion, lymphovascular invasion and lymphnode involvement. The expression E-cadherin in gastric cancer was aberrant in 100 % of diffuse type and poorly differentiated tumors. 96.61% of lymph node positive cases showed aberrant expression. The cases with aberrant expression were comparatively more in T3 (100%) and T4 (93.75%) tumors.The study highlights the significance of E-cadherin expression in gastric carcinoma that can be utilised as a potent bio marker for aggressiveness, metastasis and prognosis.