AIMS: E-cadherin is a cell adhesion molecule expressed in normal breast tissue; it is used generally as a phenotypical marker in breast cancer, with the absence of its expression observed frequently in lobular tumours. We have reported E-cadherin expression previously in 1516 ductal breast carcinoma using tissue microarray (TMA), where 7% of cases showed a complete absence of membrane staining. In this study, we investigated further the existence of E-cadherin-negative ductal carcinoma and evaluated the status of the E-cadherin-catenin complex in this subgroup. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Full-face sections from excision specimens of 72 ductal breast carcinomas reported previously as E-cadherin-negative were assessed morphologically using haematoxylin and eosin staining, and immunohistochemically using two E-cadherin antibodies (HECD-1 and CDH1/4A2C7) and antibodies recognizing β-catenin and p120 proteins. Only membrane expression was considered. RESULTS: Forty-seven ductal carcinomas were assessed after the exclusion of inappropriate cases; 34 of these showed positive E-cadherin (HECD-1) membrane expression which was focal and weak and seen mainly in invasion fronts. Ten cases showed E-cadherin (4A2C7) staining. Staining for p120 and β-catenin showed membrane staining in all cases for both antibodies, which was variable in both intensity and the proportion of positive cells. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that E-cadherin-negative ductal carcinoma is rare, and in these cases p120 and β-catenin maintained their membranous localization, suggesting a functional E-cadherin-membrane complex.
AIMS: E-cadherin is a cell adhesion molecule expressed in normal breast tissue; it is used generally as a phenotypical marker in breast cancer, with the absence of its expression observed frequently in lobular tumours. We have reported E-cadherin expression previously in 1516 ductal breast carcinoma using tissue microarray (TMA), where 7% of cases showed a complete absence of membrane staining. In this study, we investigated further the existence of E-cadherin-negative ductal carcinoma and evaluated the status of the E-cadherin-catenin complex in this subgroup. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Full-face sections from excision specimens of 72 ductal breast carcinomas reported previously as E-cadherin-negative were assessed morphologically using haematoxylin and eosin staining, and immunohistochemically using two E-cadherin antibodies (HECD-1 and CDH1/4A2C7) and antibodies recognizing β-catenin and p120 proteins. Only membrane expression was considered. RESULTS: Forty-seven ductal carcinomas were assessed after the exclusion of inappropriate cases; 34 of these showed positive E-cadherin (HECD-1) membrane expression which was focal and weak and seen mainly in invasion fronts. Ten cases showed E-cadherin (4A2C7) staining. Staining for p120 and β-catenin showed membrane staining in all cases for both antibodies, which was variable in both intensity and the proportion of positive cells. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that E-cadherin-negative ductal carcinoma is rare, and in these cases p120 and β-catenin maintained their membranous localization, suggesting a functional E-cadherin-membrane complex.
Authors: Aleksandra Markiewicz; Marzena Wełnicka-Jaśkiewicz; Barbara Seroczyńska; Jarosław Skokowski; Hanna Majewska; Jolanta Szade; Anna J Żaczek Journal: Am J Transl Res Date: 2014-11-22 Impact factor: 4.060
Authors: Gøril Knutsvik; Ingunn M Stefansson; Sura Aziz; Jarle Arnes; Johan Eide; Karin Collett; Lars A Akslen Journal: PLoS One Date: 2014-11-06 Impact factor: 3.240