[Expression of E-cadherin and beta-catenin in oral squamous cell carcinomas of tongue: correlation with the clinicopathologic features and patient prognosis].

OBJECTIVE: To examine the E-cadherin and beta-catenin expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma of tongue (OSCCT) and investigate the relationship of these markers with clinicopathologic features and patient prognosis. METHODS: Quantitative immunohistochemistry analysis was used to examine E-cadherin and beta-catenin expression in lesions of 30 OSCCT patients. The relationship between the expression of E-cadherin and beta-catenin and clinicopathological features was analyzed. RESULTS: The decreased expression of E-cadherin was observed in 19 of 30 (63%) tumours from patients who eventually developed a recurrent tumour and was also associated with recurrence (P=0.007). The expression of E-cadherin was associated with survival (P=0.018) and an independent prognostic factor in univariate analysis. There was no correlation between the expression level of E-cadherin and sex, age, histological differentiation, tumour size, clinical stage, or lymph node metastasis. The high expression of beta-catenin was observed in 18 of 30 (60%) tumours. No correlation between beta-catenin expression and clinicopathological features was observed. CONCLUSIONS: The absence or reduced expression of E-cadherin was closely associated with recurrence and survival in OSCCT patients. The aberrant expression of E-cadherin may provide a useful prognostic marker in OSCCT.