Reduced E-Cadherin Expression and Enlargement of Cancer Nuclei Strongly Correlate with Hematogenic Metastasis in Colorectal Adenocarcinoma
- 1 January 2000
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Informa UK Limited in Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology
- Vol. 35 (8), 839-846
- https://doi.org/10.1080/003655200750023219
Abstract
Synchronous and metachronous hematogenic metastases are frequently detected in patients with colorectal carcinoma. Once these metastases have developed, the prognoses of patients are poor. Previously, we reported that enlargement of cancer nuclei significantly correlated with metastatic potential of gastric cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma. Moreover, recently it has been reported that reduced expression of E-cadherin is associated with tumor metastasis. To evaluate the correlation between nuclear area (NA) of cancer cells and expression of E-cadherin, and to elucidate whether these factors correlate with clinical outcome in patients with colorectal carcinoma, 105 consecutive patients were investigated. In each case, the NAs of 600 cancer nuclei were analyzed by means of a computer-assisted image analysis system and E-cadherin expression was detected immunohistochemically by an anti-E-cadherin monoclonal antibody. The expression levels of E-cadherin were divided into three groups according to the percentages of E-cadherin-positive cells (level 0: positive cells < or = 50%, level 1: 50% < positive cells < or = 80%, level 2: positive cells > 80%). The mean NA of cancer cells in 105 tumors was 57 microm2. The NAs of cancer cells enlarged in proportion to the decrease of E-cadherin expression levels (level 0, n = 48, 62 microm2; level 1, n = 35, 57 microm2, level 2, n = 22, 46 microm2, P = 0.002). The 10-year survival rates decreased in proportion to the reduced E-cadherin expression levels (80% in level 2, 64% in level 1, and 42% in level 0, P = 0.004). Moreover, the 10-year survival rate of 54 patients with large NA tumors (< or = 54 microm2, 36%) was significantly poorer than that of 51 patients with small NA tumors (< 54 microm2, 80%, P < 0.001). The NA of cancer cells was recognized as an important predictor for prognosis and hematogenic metastasis. Although reduced E-cadherin expression was not recognized as the risk factor for hematogenic metastasis, 80% of patients who developed hematogenic metastasis had tumors with both enlarged cancer nuclei and reduced E-cadherin expression. Detection of NA of cancer cells and E-cadherin expression in patients with colorectal carcinoma may reveal important information for hematogenic metastasis.Keywords
This publication has 21 references indexed in Scilit:
- Abnormal immunoreactivity of the E-cadherin-catenin complex in gastric carcinoma: Relationship with patient survivalGastroenterology, 1997
- Prophylactic portal infusion chemotherapy as adjuvant therapy for the prevention of metachronous liver metastasis in colorectal cancerSurgery Today, 1995
- Stereologic, histopathologic, flow cytometric, and clinical parameters in the prognostic evaluation of 74 patients with intraoral squamous cell carcinomasCancer, 1992
- Correlation of nuclear morphometry with progression of breast cancerCancer, 1991
- A role for the E-cadherin cell-cell adhesion molecule during tumor progression of mouse epidermal carcinogenesis.The Journal of cell biology, 1991
- Cadherin Cell Adhesion Receptors as a Morphogenetic RegulatorScience, 1991
- Dissecting tumor cell invasion: epithelial cells acquire invasive properties after the loss of uvomorulin-mediated cell-cell adhesion.The Journal of cell biology, 1989
- Nuclear morphometry as an important prognostic factor in stage I renal cell carcinomaCancer, 1986
- A randomized controlled trial of adjuvant portal vein cytotoxic perfusion in colorectal cancerBritish Journal of Surgery, 1985
- The Spread of Rectal Cancer and its Effect on PrognosisBritish Journal of Cancer, 1958