Expression and Significance of β-Catenin in Gastric Adenoma and Gastric Adenocarcinoma

Background:β-catenin is one of the key elements in the activation of Wnt signaling pathway. Studies have shown that abnormal expression of β-catenin plays an important role in the development and progression of many cancers. Aims:To observe the expression of β-catenin in normal gastric mucosa, gastric adenoma and gastric adenocarcinoma tissues, so as to investigate its significance in the development and progression of gastric cancer. Methods:Seventy-eight gastric biopsy specimens confirmed histopathologically were obtained, including 24 normal gastric mucosa, 24 gastric adenomatous polyps (14 low-grade and 10 high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia) and 30 gastric adenocarcinoma. Expression of β-catenin was determined by avidin-biotin complex (ABC) immunohistochemical method. Results:β-catenin expression was detected on the cell membrane of normal gastric mucosa and low-grade intraepithelial neoplastic tissues, while ectopic cytoplasmic and nucleic expression of β-catenin were observed in high-grade intraepithelial neoplastic tissues and gastric adenocarcinoma. The abnormal expression rate of β-catenin in gastric adenocarcinoma was significantly higher than that in gastric adenomatous polyps (100% vs. 41.7%, P0.05). Membrane expression of β-catenin was absent in 23 cases (76.7%) of gastric adenocarcinoma. Conclusions:Abnormal expression of β-catenin is closely related to the development and progression of gastric cancer, and may be an early event in the development of gastric cancer.