Expression of α-catenin in Colorectal Cancer and its Clinical Significance

Objective To study whether the expression of α catenin in colorectal cancer is relative to tumor invasion and metastasis.Methods Using immunohistochemical staining technic,we investigated the expression of α catenin in 44 specimens of human colorectal cancer.Results Normal colorectal mucosa expressed α catenin strongly without exception.However, α catenin expression was obvious reduced in primary cancers.The reduction of α catenin expression was significantly correlated with infiltrative growth,differentiation and depth of invasion.Conclusions Down regulation of α catenin expression is associated with malignant transformation.