BACKGROUND: P-cadherin (P-CD) is a molecule expressed mainly by basal cells involved in cell adhesion. We evaluated expression of P-CD in operable breast carcinomas and its relationship with immunohistochemical markers of the basal-like phenotype and with clinical outcome. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Expression of P-CD was analyzed by immunohistochemistry in 194 tissue specimens of invasive operable ductal breast cancer. RESULTS: 112 cases (57.7%) were identified as being P-CD-positive. P-CD-positive tumors usually lacked steroid receptors (p = 0.042), expressed basal type cytokeratins (p = 0.001), and were positive for cyclin E (p = 0.039). In a univariate analysis of cancer-specific survival with a median follow-up period of 58 months, P-CD expression was not associated with prognosis (5-year survival rate for positive vs. negative patients 67.0 vs. 77.0%, log rank p = 0.121). CONCLUSION: P-CD may be regarded as an additional immunohistochemical marker of basal-like breast carcinomas. However, P-CD expression is not an adverse prognostic factor.
BACKGROUND:P-cadherin (P-CD) is a molecule expressed mainly by basal cells involved in cell adhesion. We evaluated expression of P-CD in operable breast carcinomas and its relationship with immunohistochemical markers of the basal-like phenotype and with clinical outcome. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Expression of P-CD was analyzed by immunohistochemistry in 194 tissue specimens of invasive operable ductal breast cancer. RESULTS: 112 cases (57.7%) were identified as being P-CD-positive. P-CD-positive tumors usually lacked steroid receptors (p = 0.042), expressed basal type cytokeratins (p = 0.001), and were positive for cyclin E (p = 0.039). In a univariate analysis of cancer-specific survival with a median follow-up period of 58 months, P-CD expression was not associated with prognosis (5-year survival rate for positive vs. negative patients 67.0 vs. 77.0%, log rank p = 0.121). CONCLUSION:P-CD may be regarded as an additional immunohistochemical marker of basal-like breast carcinomas. However, P-CD expression is not an adverse prognostic factor.
Authors: Sharon A Glynn; Brenda J Boersma; Tiffany H Dorsey; Ming Yi; Harris G Yfantis; Lisa A Ridnour; Damali N Martin; Christopher H Switzer; Robert S Hudson; David A Wink; Dong H Lee; Robert M Stephens; Stefan Ambs Journal: J Clin Invest Date: 2010-10-18 Impact factor: 14.808