The expression and significance of E-cadherin and β-catenin in type I endometrial carcinoma

Objective To investigate the expression and significance of E-cadherin and β-catenin in type Ⅰ endometrial carcinoma. Methods The expression of E-cadherin and β-catenin were detected by immunohistochemistry in 60 patients with type Ⅰ endometrial carcinoma and 10 normal endometrial tissues. The patients were followed-up postoperatively for the survival rate. Results Expression of E-cadherin and β-catenin in 10 normal endometrial tissues was all high expression, while those of both abnormal expression in type Ⅰ endometrial carcinoma with expression rates with 60.0 % (36/60) and 55.0 % (33/60), respectively, which were difference compared with both in normal endometrial tissues (P<0.05). The expression rates were markedly decreased in carcinoma with lymph node metastasis than those without lymph node metastasis. The proportions of abnormal expressions of E-cadherin and β-catenin were positively correlated with tumor grade and myometrial invasion in type Ⅰ endometrial carcinoma (P<0.05). The postoperative two-year survival rate in the patients with abnormal expression of E-cadherin and β-catenin were much lower than those with normal expression (P<0.05). Conclusions Abnormal high expression of E-cadherin and β-catenin may play important roles on generation and metastasis in type Ⅰ endometrial carcinoma. Both of them may be promising method for predicting invasion and metastasis and can be prognostic predictors in type Ⅰ endometrial carcinoma. Key words: Endometrial neoplasms; E-cadherin; β-catenin; Immunohistochemistry