J Korean Surg Soc.  2007 Sep;73(3):221-226.

Correlation of Decreased Expressions of Claudin 4 and E-cadherin Proteins and the Clinicopathologic Factors of Stomach Cancer

• Lee SM
• Lee JH
• Kim BG
• Kim YS
• Park YG
• Chi KC
• Lim HM
• Kim SJ

Abstract

PURPOSE: We examined the expressions of claudin-4 and E-cadherin, which are known as cell adhesion-associated proteins, in stomach cancer. The relationship of their expression with the clinicopathologic factors was examined to investigate the roles of these proteins in the invasion or metastasis of stomach adenocarcinoma.
METHODS
The expressions of claudin-4 and E-cadherin were examined in 73 cases of adenocarcinoma of the stomach by performing immunohistochemical staining.
RESULTS
The expressions of claudin-4 and E-cadherin in the stomach adenocarcinoma were both correlated with the histologic grade, the T-stage and nodal metastasis, respectively (P<0.05). The expression of claudin-4 was significantly associated with the expression of E-cadherin.
CONCLUSION
Our data suggests that claudin-4 and E-cadherin are involved in the processes of histologic differentiation, invasion and metastasis of stomach adenocarcinoma.

Keyword

Stomach cancer; Claudin-4; E-cadherin

MeSH Terms

Adenocarcinoma
Cadherins*
Claudin-4*
Neoplasm Metastasis
Stomach Neoplasms*
Stomach*
Cadherins
Claudin-4