Cancer Res Treat.  2004 Feb;36(1):72-78.

The Role of E-cadherin/Beta-catenin Complex and Cyclin D1 in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

• Do NY
• Park SY
• Lim SC

Abstract

PURPOSE
To determine the relationship between expression pattern of E-cadherin, Beta-catenin and cyclin D1, and clinicopathologic parameters in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors evaluated the immunohistochemical expression pattern of E-cadherin, Beta-catenin in relationship with cyclin D1 overexpression, degree of histologic differentiation, clinical stage, and nodal status in 146 head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). The authors also evaluated the expression of E-cadherin/Beta-catenin complex, E-cadherin/cyclin D1, and Beta-catenin/cyclin D1 double staining with confocal laser scanning microscope. RESULTS: Aberrant expressions in 78% of E-cadherin, 77% of Beta-catenin, and 69% of cyclin D1 in the HNSCC were observed. There was correlation of aberrant expression of E-cadherin and nodal status. Cyclin D1 overexpression was also correlated to clinical stage and nodal status. Significant relation was observed between E- cadherin and Beta-catenin expression patterns. Co-expression of E-cadherin and Beta-catenin was significantly detected. However, there was no correlation of cyclin D1 overexpression with E-cadherin or Beta-catenin expression patterns. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that aberrant expression of E-cadherin, E-cadherin/Beta-catenin complex, and cyclin D1 may be involved in clinical stage and/or nodal status, and analysis of the pattern of E-cadherin, cyclin D1, and E-cadherin/Beta-catenin complex may be good prognostic marker of HNSCC.

Keyword

E-cadherin; Beta-catenin; Cyclin D1; Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma; Prognosis

MeSH Terms

beta Catenin
Cadherins
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell*
Cyclin D1*
Cyclins*
Head*
Humans
Neck*
Prognosis
Cadherins
Cyclin D1
Cyclins
beta Catenin

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 (A) Immunohistochemical expression of E-cadherin in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Distinct membranous staining of tumor cells for E-cadherin is noted. (B) Immunohistochemical expression of β-catenin in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Distinct membranous staining of tumor cells for β-catenin is noted. (C) Immunohistochemical overexpression of cyclin D1 in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Distinct nuclear staining of tumor cells for cyclin D1 is noted. LSAB method, counterstained by hematoxylin.

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