Prognostic significance of E-cadherin expression in hepatocellular carcinoma: correlations with clinical features

Rom J Morphol Embryol. 2019;60(4):1243-1251.

Abstract

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents a major public health issue, being associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Previous studies have demonstrated that reduction and∕or absence of E-cadherin expression is correlated with a potential for invasion and low survival rate in patients with HCC.

Patients, materials and methods: We assessed the immunohistochemical expression of E-cadherin in 32 HCCs and peritumoral hepatic tissues using monoclonal anti-E-cadherin antibody (clone EP700Y), at 1:50 dilution, followed by incubation with Labeled Streptavidin-Biotin 2 (LSAB2) for 20 minutes, visualization of the reaction with 3,3'-Diaminobenzidine (DAB) and counterstaining with Mayer's Hematoxylin.

Results: The results we obtained show: an aberrant E-cadherin expression more frequent in dysplastic nodules (p=0.285) and in 81.25% of HCC cases, as compared to normal hepatic tissue (p<0.001); the absence of a statistically significant relationship between E-cadherin expression and patients' gender (p=0.854), tumor localization (p=0.429), associated viral infection [hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV)] (p=0.513) or tumor size (p=0.788); the rate of positive E-cadherin expression was significantly higher in tumors with capsular infiltration (75%) (p=0.017) and does not appear to be influenced by vascular invasion (62.5%) (p=0.411), the presence of satellite nodules (p=0.285) or the serum level of alpha-fetoprotein (α-FP) (p=0.787).

Conclusions: Reduced E-cadherin expression indicates a poor prognosis for patients with HCC and can be considered a potential predictive marker for the prognosis of these patients.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antigens, CD / biosynthesis*
  • Antigens, CD / genetics
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / biosynthesis
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / genetics
  • Cadherins / biosynthesis*
  • Cadherins / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / metabolism*
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / pathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Liver Neoplasms / genetics
  • Liver Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Liver Neoplasms / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prognosis
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • CDH1 protein, human
  • Cadherins