Expression of E-cadherin,α-,β-catenin in invasive breast cancer

OBJECTIVE:To investigate proteins of E-cadherin and α-,β-catenin in invasive breast cancer and evaluate their possible role in breast cancer invasion and metastasis. METHODS:The high sensitive SP immunohistochemical method was used to detect the protein expressions of E-cadherin and α-,β-catenin.RESULTS:The abnormal expression rates of E-cadherin,α-,β-catenin were 51.7%,61.7% and 70% respectively among 60 cases of breast cancer. Abnormal E-cadherin and α-,β-catenin expressions were more often observed in invasive lobular carcinomas,P0.025-0.01. The expression of E-cadherin showed a significant association with histological grade, tumor stage and lymphatic metastasis, P0.05-0.005. However, there was no significant relationship between α-,β-catenin staining and histological grade and lymph node status. When all of three proteins(E-cadherin, α-,β-catenin) were analysed as one group, a significant association was found between abnormal expression of at least one of these three proteins and the presence of lymphatic metastasis, P0.05.CONCLUSIONS:Down-regulation of E-cadherin may play a critical role in neoplastic cell invasion and metastasis in invasive breast cancer. Down-regulation of E-cadherin alone may be enough for the tumor cell to lose intercellular adhesion which results in tumor cell invasion and metastasis.