Prognostic value of cadherin-associated molecules (α-, β-, and γ-catenins and p120ras) in bladder tumors

• Published in: Cancer research (Chicago, Ill.) Vol. 56; no. 18; pp. 4154 - 4158
• Main Authors: SHIMAZUI, R, SCHALKEN, J. A, JANSEN, C. F. J, AKAZA, H, KOISO, K, DEBRUYNE, F. M. J, BRINGUIER, P. P, GIROLDI, L. A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Philadelphia, PA American Association for Cancer Research 15-09-1996
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; alpha Catenin; beta Catenin; Biological and medical sciences; Biomarkers, Tumor - analysis; Cadherins - analysis; Catenins; Cell Adhesion Molecules - analysis; Cell Adhesion Molecules - biosynthesis; Combined Modality Therapy; Cytoskeletal Proteins - analysis; Cytoskeletal Proteins - biosynthesis; Desmoplakins; Female; gamma Catenin; Gene Expression; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Staging; Nephrology. Urinary tract diseases; Phosphoproteins - analysis; Phosphoproteins - biosynthesis; Prognosis; Survival Rate; Time Factors; Trans-Activators; Tumors of the urinary system; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms - mortality; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms - pathology; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms - surgery; Urinary tract. Prostate gland; Human; Tissue; Urinary system disease; Carcinoma; Prognosis; Urinary bladder; Bladder disease; Malignant tumor; Cadherin; Catenin
• ISSN: 0008-5472; 1538-7445

Loss of E-cadherin-mediated adhesion is an important step in the progression of many carcinomas. In model systems, it has been shown that cadherin function requires not only proper E-cadherin expression but also its linkage to the cytoskeleton through catenins. Hence, defects in catenins may cause defective E-cadherin function, and catenins as well as E-cadherin might constitute prognostic indicators. Here, we extend our previous study on E-cadherin in bladder cancer (Cancer Res., 53: 3241-3245, 1993). We have evaluated the expression of E-cadherin-associated cytoplasmic molecules (alpha-, beta-, and gamma-catenins and p120cas) to clarify whether or not the pattern of their expression could provide additional prognostic information beyond that from E-cadherin alone. Forty-eight frozen bladder tumor specimens and 9 samples of normal urothelium were studied by immunohistochemistry. A discrepancy between the E-cadherin and catenin expression pattern was seen in 20.8% of cases. Abnormal expression of each molecule is significantly correlated with tumor grade (P < 0.01) and stage (P < 0.01). Reduced expression of all of the molecules correlates with poor survival (P < 0.01 for each variable). Proportional hazard regression analysis showed that beta-catenin, E-cadherin, and alpha-catenin have strong predictive value, whereas plakoglobin and p120cas have a somewhat lower predictive value. Within patients with invasive tumors, those with a normal staining for either E-cadherin, alpha-catenin, or beta-catenin show a trend toward better survival. However, the difference in survival is significant only for E-cadherin (P < 0.05). Thus, beta-catenin, E-cadherin, and alpha-catenin have similar prognostic values. Therefore, from a practical point of view, the expression of any of these proteins can be of prognostic value for patients with bladder cancer.