Objectives:

Cell adhesion complex E-cadherin and beta-catenin have important roles in tissue integrity, organization, protection of epithelial phenotype, transcription and proliferation of epithelial cells. Changes in these molecules have been reported in some epithelial malignancies. In this study, with the evaluation of the role of E-cadherin and beta-catenin immunohistochemical expression status in prostate carcinomas with Gleason score and other prognostic factors and the role of these molecules in the pathogenesis of prostate carcinoma were investigated.

Materials and Methods:

One hundred fifty-six radical prostatectomy cases diagnosed as prostate adenocarcinoma between 2003 and 2008 years at the Gazi University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pathology, were included in the study. The prognostic factors of the cases were retrospectively reviewed and recorded. The cases were divided into groups according to the Gleason score. E-cadherin and beta-catenin antibodies and tumor cells were evaluated semi-quantitatively according to the percentages and severity of immunohistochemical expression. The relationship between E-cadherin and beta-catenin expression levels and Gleason score and other prognostic factors were statistically investigated.

Results:

With E-cadherin, 47 (30%) of 156 cases showed loss of expression. There was a statistically significant difference between loss of e-cadherin expression and high Gleason score and seminal vesicle invasion. Expression loss was detected in 79 (50%) of 156 cases with beta-catenin. A statistically significant relationship was found between loss of beta-catenin expression and high Gleason score, seminal vesicle invasion and extra-prostate spread.

Conclusion:

In our study, a statistically significant difference was found between E-cadherin and beta-catenin expression loss and high Gleason score, seminal vesicle invasion and extra-prostate spread. The findings supported the role of these molecules in the pathogenesis of prostate carcinoma. However, due to the absence of metastatic tumors and their relationship with clinical stage and clinical follow-up, no comment could be interpreted for the role of these molecules in aggressive tumors.

Keywords: Prostate Cancer, Prostate, E-cadherin, Beta-catenin, Gleason Score