EXPRESSION OF E-CADHERIN MOLECULES IN HEPATOCELLUR CARCINOMA AND ITS CLINICAL IMPLICATION

Objective To investigate the expression of E-cadherin protein in HCC and its clinical significance.Methods Expression of E-cadherin protein was detected immunohistochemically in paraffinmbedded specimens of 49 HCCs.Results were compared with clinicopathologic parameters.The relationship between E-cadherin expression and postoperative disease-free survival was explored.Results 28(57.14%)of 49 HCCs showed reduced E-cadherin expression,21( 42.86% ) normal E-cadherin expression.Significant correlation was found between E-cadherin expression and tumor size,Endmodson't grade (P0.05).Postoperative disease-free survival in the HCCs group with normal E-cadherin expression was significantly longer than that of reduced E-cadherin expression ( 20.38 ±2.97 vs 10.43±2.23 months,P0.05).Conclusion Reduced E-cadherin expression may potentially promote the metastasis in patients with HCC;E-cadherin is an important marker reflecting biological behavivors and prognosis of HCC.