[Relationship between abnormal expression of beta-catenin in gastric carcinoma and survival]

Altered cell adhesion has a critical role in the development of epithelial cancers. E-cadherin act on the maintenance of cell-cell adhesion and its function was thought to be regulated by associated cytoplasmic proteins, such as alpha-catenin and beta-catenin. This study was designed to examine the expression of beta-catenin in gastric carcinoma and to determine the relationship between tumor characteristics and survival.

Immunohistochemical staining of beta-catenin and E-cadherin was performed in 148 patients with gastric carcinoma.

Abnormal expression of beta-catenin and E-cadherin was performed in 148 patients with gastric carcinoma.

Abnormal expression of beta-catenin and E-cadherin was demonstrated in 43.2% and 44.6% of tumors respectively. Up to 63% of tumors stained abnormally for one or two components of the cadherin-catenin complex (beta-catenin, E-cadherin). Abnormal beta-catenin and E-cadherin staining occurred more frequently in poor differentiated tumor than in good differentiated tumors (P < 0.005, respectively). There was a significant correlation between abnormal beta-catenin expression and depth of invasion(P < 0.025). Moreover, abnormal beta-catenin expression was more frequent in tumors with positive lymph node metastasis (45/84, 53.6%) and distance metastasis(21/31, 67.7%) than in tumors without lymph node metastasis (19/64, 29.7%) (P < 0.005) and distance metastasis (43/117, 36.8%) (P < 0.005). A survival advantage was noted in tumors retaining normal membranous expression of beta-catenin, independent of type, grade, or stage (P < 0.005).

Abnormal expression of the E-cadherin-catenin complex occurs frequently in gastric carcinoma. The close correlation with poor survival suggests that abnormal beta-catenin may be a useful prognostic marker.