Expression Of E-cadherin-catenins Complex (E-cad, α-cat, β-cat And γ-cat) In Early Gastric Cancer

Objective: In order to evaluate the invasion depth and the lymph nodes metastasis of early gastric cancer(EGC), the expression of E-cadherin-catenins complex(E-cad, a -cat, P-cat and y-cat) in early gastric cancer and their relationships with biological characteristics of early gastric cancer were determined. Material and Method: 53 cases of EGC, who accepted radical operations from Jan 1997 to Dec 2000 in Sir Run Run Show Hospital were include in this study. According to the invasion depth and lymph nodes metastasis, they were divided into different sub-group for discussion. Also the normal gastric mucosa of 10 cases with extra-gastric disease were selected as control group. The expression of E-cad, a -cat, P-cat and y-cat were determined using immunohistochemistry. Results: All four proteins (E-cad, -cat, -cat and -cat) were normally expressed in control group. In early gastric cancer, the abnormal expression rates of E-cad, a -cat, P-cat and y-cat were 64.2%, 69.8%, 66% and 73.6%, respectively. In the sub-group of mucosal invasion, the abnormal expression rates were 61%(14/23 ) , 65.2%(15/23), 47.8%(1 l/23)and 56.5%(13/23), respectively. But in the sub-group of submucosal invasion, the abnormal expression rates were 66.7%(20/30), 73.3(22/30)%, 80%(24/30) and 86.7%(26/30), respectively. In sub-group of no lymph node metastasis, the abnormal expression rates were 61.4%(27/44), 65.9%(29/44), 63.6%(28/44)and 70%(31/44)respectively. In sub-group of lymph node metastasis, the abnormal expression rates were 77.8% (7/9)> 88.9% (8/9X 77.8% (7/9) and 88.9% (8/9) respectively. Abnormal expression of -cat and -cat have significantly difference between the sub-group of mucosal invasion and the submucosal invasion (p<0.05). All four proteins were abnormal expression in 7 of 9 (77.8%) cases that had lymph nodes metastasis and 7of 21 (33.3%) cases that had no lymph nodes metastasis. There is significantly difference between these two sub-groups (p<0.05). Conclusion: When early gastric cancer with abnormal expression of 3 -cat and -cat, it maybe have sub-mucosal invasion. If all the four protein were expressed abnormally in early gastric cancer, it is high possibility with lymph node metastasis.