The Expression And Significance Of KAI1 Protein And E-cadherin In Endometrial Carcinoma

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to detect the expression of KAI 1 protein and E -cadherin(E - cad) in endometrial adenocarcinoma, and to probe the clinical significance and the correlation of them.MethodsImmunohistochemical staining (SP) method was used to detect the expression of KAI 1 protein and E - cadherin in 14 cases of normal endometrium, 11 cases of uterine atypical endometrial hyperplasia and 48 cases of endometrial adenocarcinoma.Results1. The positive rate of KAI 1 protein in endometrial adenocarcinoma (43. 8 % )was clearly lower than that in normal endometrium(92. 9%) and uterine a-typical endometrial hyperplasia(81. 8%) , p <0.05,and there was no difference in endometrial adenocarcinoma and uterine atypical endometrial hyperplasia(p > 0.05).2. The positive rate of E - cadherin in endometrial adenocarcinoma (47. 9 %) was clearly lower than that in normal endometrium (100%) and uterine a-typical endometrial hyperplasia(90. 9%) , p <0. 05 ,and there was no difference in normal endometrium and uterine atypical endometrial hyperplasia(p >0. 05).3. The expression of KAI1 protein showed a negative relation with theirclinical stage, histological grade, myometrium invasion depth and lymph node metastasis in endometrial adenocarcinoma, p <0. 05. The expression of KAI 1 protein in late clinical stage( II to IH)( 29.1%) was significantly lower than that in primary clinical stage(58. 3% ). The expression in low and second histological grades(28. 6% ) was distinctly lower than that in high histological grades (84.6%). The expression in endometrial carcinoma with deep invasion ( > 1/ 2) ( 28.6% ) was markedly lower than that without or with superficial invasion ( ^1/2) ( 55.6%). The expression in endometrial carcinoma with lymph metastasis (18. 8% ) was statistically lower than that without lymph metastasis(56. 3%).4, The expression of E - cadherin showed a negative relation with their clinical stage, histological grade, myometrium invasion depth and lymph node metastasis in endometrial adenocarcinoma, p <0. 05. The expression of E - cadherin in late clinical stage( II to IE ) ( 33.3%) was significantly lower than that in primary clinical stage (62. 5%). The expression in low and second histological grades(34. 3% ) was distinctly lower than that in high histological grades (84. 6% ). The expression in endometrial carcinoma with deep invasion ( > 1/2) ( 33. 3% ) was markedly lower than that without or with superficial invasion( ^1/ 2) ( 59. 3% ). The expression in endometrial carcinoma with lymph metastasis (18. 8% ) was statistically lower than that without lymph metastasis(62.5% ).5. The expression of KAI1 correlated with the expression of E - cadherin in patients with endometrial carcinoma (p <0.05).ConclusionsThe expression of KAI1 protein and E - cadherin is down regulated during the malignant progression in endometrial adenocarcinoma. The interaction between KAI1 protein and E -cadherin may take place in the invasion and metastasis of endometrial carcinoma. It might be a potentially valuable indicator to e-valuate the degree of malignancy, to predict the metastasis and prognosis of patients in endometrial carcinoma.