E-cadherin and catenins in early squamous cervical carcinoma

Objectives. To examine the prognostic significance of the protein expression of E-cadherin, alpha-, beta-, and gamma-catenin in early squamous cervical carcinoma (SCC). Methods. We studied 219 patients who underwent radical hysterectomy and bilateral lymphadenectomy at our institution for stage IB SCC between 1987 and 1993. Immunohistochemistry using monoclonal antibodies against E-cadherin, alpha-, beta-, and gamma-catenin was used to examine protein expression. Ten patients who underwent hysterectomy for uterine prolapse served as controls. Results. Membrane expression for E-cadherin, alpha-, beta-, and gamma-catenin was decreased and low expression (less than or equal to50% positive cells) was found in 198/219 (90%), 154/219 (70%), 157/219 (72%), and 181/219 (83%) tumors, respectively, and high (>50% positive cells) in 21/219 (10%), 65/219 (30%), 62/219 (28%), and 38/219 (17%) tumors, respectively. In univariate analysis, all classical clinicopathological parameters but none of the investigated proteins were associated with prognosis. In multivariate analysis, only deep stromal invasion was independently related to survival. Conclusion. E-cadherin, alpha-, beta-, and gamma-catenin were not independently associated with prognosis in stage IB SCC. (C) 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.