E-cadherin/γ-catenin Complex Expression in Human Bladder Carcinoma and Its Clinical Significance

Objective To elucidate the expression of E cadherin/γ catenin(E cd/γ cat)complex and its clinical significance in human bladder carcinoma.Methods The immunohistochemical staining with streptavidin peroxidase conjugated method (S P) was used to examine the expression of E cd/γ cat complex in 72 cases of human bladder carcinoma and 5 cases of normal bladder mucosa.Results E cd/γ cat complex was expressed in a normal membranous pattern in all normal bladder mucosa specimens. The abnormal expression of E cd/γ cat was found in 41/72 ( 56.9% ), 31/72( 43.1% ) tumors, respectively. A highly significant correlation was observed between expression of E cd and γ cat ( P 0.01 ). There was a significant correlation between the abnormal expression of E cd/γ cat complex and WHO grade and TNM stage ( P 0.05 ). The abnormal expression of γ cat was correlated with poor survival of all tumors ( P 0.01 ).Conclusion The abnormal expression of E cd/γ cat complex plays an important role in the differentiation and malignant progress of human bladder carcinoma.γ cat may be a valuable prognostic marker of survival.