Title: Role of E-cadherin Expression in Breast Carcinoma
Abstract:Introduction:Cancer of breast has emerged as the leading site of cancer in India.E-cadherin (E-CD) is one of calciumdependent transmembrane glycoprotein mediating cell-cell adhesion.It has its applica...Introduction:Cancer of breast has emerged as the leading site of cancer in India.E-cadherin (E-CD) is one of calciumdependent transmembrane glycoprotein mediating cell-cell adhesion.It has its application in differentiating invasive ductal carcinoma not otherwise specified (IDC-NOS) vs invasive lobular carcinomas (ILCs) and predicting the aggressiveness of the tumor.In this study, we intend to see E-CD expression in breast carcinoma by immunohistochemistry (IHC), comparing its status with histological grade and type. Materials and methods:A total of 47 breast tissue specimens were included in the study.The histomorphological grading (Modified Scarf Bloom Richardson system) and immunohistochemical scoring were done.Chi-square formula was applied to check the association between E-CD expression and various variables. Results:The mean age was 51 years.The most common type was IDC-NOS (79%) and grade II (38%).Majority (62%) were lymph node negative.The E-CD IHC performed showed most cases (55%) were severely reduced E-CD, while wellexpressed E-CD and moderately reduced E-CD were 28 and 17% respectively.The E-CD expression was statistically significant (p < 0.05) with histological grade and lymph node status.Though the p-value of E-CD expression vs histopathological type was not significant, all ILCs showed complete loss of E-CD expression compared with IDC-NOS. Conclusion:The E-CD expression is well preserved in welldifferentiated carcinomas and reduced in poorly differentiated carcinomas.Loss of E-CD expression is seen in lymph node metastasis breast carcinomas and in high-grade breast carcinomas, which proves E-CD can be used as a marker of tumor invasion and tumor aggressiveness.Complete loss of E-CD is seen in all ILC, which can also be helpful in differentiating IDC NOS from ILC.Read More