Expression of Claudin-4 and D2-40 and their significance in prostatic adenocarcinoma

Claudins are a clan of proteins that are the most important component of tight junctions. The claudin-4 expression has been linked to tumour cell invasion and progression in a variety of primary malignancies. Evaluation of lymphovascular density (LVD) correlates with tumour aggressiveness and may correlate with prognosis. D2-40 is a highly specific marker of lymphatic vessels.

To evaluate the claudin-4 expression in relation to LVD by D2-40 expression and with clinicopathological parameters in prostatic adenocarcinoma.

Prospective study.

39 cases of prostatic adenocarcinoma were taken, the D2-40 and claudin-4 immunohistochemical stains were performed and correlation was done with clinicopathological parameters.

Statistical analyses such as mean, median, standard deviation, Mann-Whitney U test, Fischer exact test, Spearman's rank-order correlation coefficient, Chi-square test and T-test were used.

The claudin-4 expression was seen higher in cases with higher Gleason score but it was statistically non-significant (P = 0.778). The claudin-4 expression did not correlate with any clinicopathological parameters. LVD in the peritumoral area was significantly higher as compared to the intratumoral area (P = 0.005). Intratumoral LVD and perineural invasion were found to be statistically significant (P = 0.048).

The claudin-4 expression may correlate with adverse prognostic parameters. Higher lymphatic vessels can be responsible for the higher metastatic potential of prostatic adenocarcinomas.