Retention of the expression of E-cadherin and catenins is associated with shorter survival in grade III ductal carcinoma of the breast

• Published in: The Journal of pathology 2001-04, Vol.193 (4), p.433-441
• Main Authors: Gillett, C. E., Miles, D. W., Ryder, K., Skilton, D., Liebman, R. D., Springall, R. J., Barnes, D. M., Hanby, A. M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; alpha Catenin; Analysis of Variance; beta Catenin; Biological and medical sciences; Biomarkers, Tumor - metabolism; Breast Neoplasms - metabolism; Breast Neoplasms - pathology; Cadherins - metabolism; Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast - metabolism; Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast - pathology; catenin; Cohort Studies; cross talk; Cytoskeletal Proteins - metabolism; Desmoplakins; Disease-Free Survival; E-cadherin; Female; gamma Catenin; grade III ductal carcinoma; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Humans; Mammary gland diseases; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Proteins - metabolism; poor prognosis; Prognosis; Survival Rate; Trans-Activators; Tumors
• ISSN: 0022-3417; 1096-9896
• DOI: 10.1002/path.831

Many studies have investigated the relationship between the E‐cadherin/catenin axis and breast cancer biology and yet, unlike the studies in other tumour systems, which have shown a relationship between down‐regulation and poor survival, no clear association has emerged in breast. Since accumulating evidence suggests that ductal carcinoma of no special type (NST) represents a diverse group of biologies, this study has focused on grade III ductal carcinoma, in order to reduce the heterogeneity of the study population. A total of 470 breast tumours were studied. Consecutive sections were labelled with antibodies which recognize E‐cadherin and the arm proteins with which it interacts: α‐, β‐, and γ‐catenin. Membrane‐bound and cytoplasmic E‐cadherin and membrane‐bound α‐catenin expression were associated with a positive oestrogen receptor (ER) status, γ‐catenin with a negative ER status, and, surprisingly, all three with poor survival. Taken together, these findings suggest that a conserved E‐cadherin/catenin axis may play a part in determining adverse outcome in grade III breast carcinoma. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.