Expression and significance of β-catenin、 E-cadherin in epithelial ovarian cancer

Objective To investigate the expression of β-catenin,E-cadherin in epithelial ovarian cancer and to explore their clinical significance.Methods Expressions of β-catenin,E-cadherin was detected with immunohistochemistry assay in 49 specimens of epithelial ovarian cancer,10 borderline epithelial ovarian tumors,16 benign epithelial ovarian tumors.Results The abnormal expression of β-catenin and E-cadherin were significantly higher in the ovarian cancer(79.59% and 67.35%) than in the borderline(30.00% and 20.00%) and benign(25% and 0) ovarian epithelial tumors(P0.01).By comparing with the abnormal expression of β-catenin and E-cadherin in the borderline and benign ovarian epithelial tumors,P0.05.The expression pattern ofβ-catenin was associated with histological subtypes,differentiation stages and peritoneal metastasis(P0.05).The expression pattern of E-cadherin was associated with histological subtypes,FIGO stages,peritoneal metastasis,and residual size(P0.05).The expression of beta-catenin and E-cadherin was positively correlated(r= 0.525 8,p0.05) in specimens of ovarian cancer.Conclusions Down-regulation of β-catenin and E-cadherin in specimens of ovarian cancer.They have important effects on pathogenesis and development of ovarian epithelial tumors.