E-cadherin, β-catenin, Vimentin And S100A4Expression In Squamous Cell Lung Carcinoma And Prognosis Analysis

ObjectiveUsing immunohistochemistry, the aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of E-cadherin, β-catenin, vimentin and S100A4expression in a cohort of squamous cell lung carcinoma patients (SqCC).Methods1. According to the exclusion and inclusion criterion,204paraffin-embedded squamous cell lung carcinoma tissues were selected in the study between January2005and December2007in Cancer Institute and Hospital of Tianjin Medical University. All patients were organized and summarized.2. To investigate E-cadherin, β-catenin, vimentin and S100A4expression in squamous cell lung carcinoma and prognosis of patients by the tissue microarray and immunohistochemical methods.3. Correlations between the expression of E-cadherin, β-catenin, vimentin and S100A4and clinicopathological parameters were analysed using the χ2test. The χ2test for linear trends was applied to evaluate the correlations between the expression of E-cadherin, β-catenin, vimentin and S100A4. The Kaplan-Meier method and the Log-rank test were used to calculate Overall survival (OS) and Disease-free survival (DFS). A prognostic analysis was carried out using univariate and multivariate Cox regressions models.Results1. E-cadherin and P-catenin expression was observed at the intercellular junctions. Reduced expression of E-cadherin and P-catenin was observed at the membranes of some of the tumour cells. Negative or low E-cadherin and β-catenin expression levels were observed in71.1%and69.6%of all patients, respectively. Vimentin was localised to the stromal structures of normal or neoplastic tissues, as well as the cytoplasm of the neoplastic tissues.48cases displayed low expression and13cases displayed high expression. S100A4was detectable as granular cytoplasmic staining, and staining of tumour cell nuclei was also observed. One hundred and thirty-seven (67.2%) cases stained positive for S100A4, with23cases displaying high expression and114displaying low expression.2. Significant associations between E-cadherin expression and T stage, histological differentiation, lymph node metastasis, and recurrence were identified. Decreased β-catenin expression was significantly correlated with T stage and lymph node metastasis. Vimentin expression was associated with histological differentiation and lymph node metastasis. Significant correlation was observed between S100A4expression and lymph node metastasis and recurrence.3. Patients with high E-cadherin expression had better OS and DFS than those with tumors that had negative or low E-cadherin expression. Patients with negative or low S100A4expression had better OS and DFS than those with high S100A4. In the multivariate analysis, E-cadherin and S100A4expression were independent prognostic factors for OS and DFS.Conclusion1. Patients with high E-cadherin expression had better prognoses than those with tumors that had negative or low E-cadherin expression. In the multivariate analysis, E-cadherin was an independent prognostic factor for OS and DFS.2. Patients with negative or low S100A4expression had better prognoses than those with high S100A4expression. In the multivariate analysis, S100A4was an independent prognostic factor for OS and DFS.3. Effective analysis of E-cadherin and S100A4expression may allow for the identification of patients who are at a high risk of recurrence and poor prognosis in squamous cell lung carcinoma.