CHARACTERISTICS OF PROLIFERATION AND INTERCELLULAR ADHESION IN PRE-CANCEROUS AND MALIGNANT EPITHELIAL SKIN TUMORS

Abstract

Background: Differential diagnostics between actinic keratosis which is one of pre-cancerous skin diseases, and intra-epidermal squamous cell skin cancer (or Bowen's disease) could be difficult in some cases even with morphological examination. The study on molecular characteristics of pre-cancerous skin disorders would allow for more accurate diagnostics and assessment of prognosis. Aim: To study proliferative activity of keratinocytes and E-cadherin expression on cell membranes in actinic keratosis and in Bowen's disease, with identification of differential diagnostic criteria. Materials and methods: We performed an immunohistochemistry study with anti-Ki-67 and anti-Е-cadherin monoclonal antibodies in skin bioptates of 23 patients with actinic keratosis and 10 patients with Bowen's disease. Results: The mean proliferation index in actinic keratosis without the bowen-like loci was 30.9 ± 11.4% (range, from 11.5 to 48.4%), and in actinic keratosis with the bowen-like loci, 40.3 ± 8.6% (range, from 31 to 57.6%). In both groups, E-cadherin expression in all cases (100%) was located in cell membranes. The mean proliferation index in Bowen's disease was 44.7 ± 8.2% (range, from 33.3 to 60%). In 48.2% of Bowen cells, abnormal type of E-cadherin expression (reduced membranous, membranous and cytoplasmatic and cytoplasmatic only). Conclusion: Actinic keratosis and Bowen's disease represent different stages of one and the same malignant process that have different proliferative cell activity and E-cadherin expression, which could be used as differential diagnostic markers.

Keywords

• actinic keratosis
• bowen's disease
• proliferative protein
• ki-67
• adhesion molecules
• e-cadherin
• diagnosis differential