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Updated: Sep 25, 2025

Development of Compendium for Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Published on: April 12, 2024
Loss of E-Cadherin Expression Correlates With Ki-67 in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Cristina Stefania Dumitru1, Amalia Raluca Ceausu2, Serban Comsa2
1Department of Microscopic Morphology/Histology, Angiogenesis Research Center, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania dcristinastefania@gmail.com.
Background/Aim:
The aim of the study was to evaluate the correlation between the rate of proliferation and immunohistochemical expression of E-cadherin, and their predictive role in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).
Materials And Methods:
Samples were collected from 50 patients with HNSCC, and the expression of Ki-67 and E-cadherin was evaluated by immunohisto-chemistry (IHC). Previously, samples were conventionally stained with haematoxylin and eosin for histological diagnosis and grade.
Results:
High E-cadherin expression was predominantly associated with less differentiated tumours (p<0.5; p=0.0305). Also, we observed a significant correlation between Ki-67 expression in tumour cells and tumour grade (p=0.0245). A strong correlation was noticed between low E-cadherin expression, increased Ki-67-proliferation rate and advanced T2-T3 tumour stage (p=0.0242).
Conclusion:
In this study we showed that Ki-67 proliferation rate and E-cadherin expression are important features in patients with HNSCC. Therefore, higher Ki-67 index values correlate with loss of E-cadherin expression, which indicates a poorer prognosis. These aspects support the use of both Ki-67 and E-cadherin as prognostic markers in specimens from patients with HNSCC.
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