Immunohistochemical Expression of E-cadherin in Invasive Duct Carcinoma of the Breast

Abstract

Breast cancer is the most frequent malignant tumor in women worldwide. E-Cadherin is a calcium-dependent epithelial cell adhesion molecule that is expressed at adherens junctions. Its loss may result in a poorly differentiated tumorphenotype. Cells with mutated E-cadherin demonstrate increased motility, altered organization of their actin cytoskeletonand associated with metastases, thereby providing evidence for its role as an invasion suppressor. Objectives: Assess the prognostic value of E-cadherin expression in invasive duct carcinoma (IDC) of the breastand to evaluate its correlations with other prognostic parameters. Materials and Methods: Immunohistochemical (IHC) E-Cadherin expression was studied in 60 IDC and the results were correlated with the clinico-pathological parameters. Results: E-cadherin was positive in 46/60 (76.7%) of IDC; 15/60 (25%) showed strong membranous staining. A significant inverse correlation was found between E-cadherin expression and number of lymph node metastasis. Conclusions: Loss of E-cadherin expression is a predictive of invasion and metastasis in IDC.

Keywords

• breast cancer; invasive duct carcinoma; e-cadherin