Loss of E-cadherin and beta-catenin is correlated with poor prognosis of ampullary neoplasms.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Distant metastasis resulting from carcinoma cell detachment from the primary tumor involves modification of adhesion molecules. This study was conducted to examine the correlation of E-cadherin/beta-catenin expression with survival and recurrence in ampullary neoplasms.

METHODS

Patients with diagnoses of ampullary neoplasms were enrolled in the study. Demographics, operative findings, and histopathological data were collected by retrospective chart review. Expression of E-cadherin and beta-catenin were detected by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

A total of 110 patients were enrolled in the study. Preservation of membranous staining of E-cadherin was noted in 41 (37%) patients, aberrant cytoplasmic staining in 48 (44%) patients, and complete loss in 21 (19%) patients. Loss of E-cadherin was associated with pancreatic invasion, recurrence, and poor prognosis. Membranous staining of beta-catenin was noted in 65 (59%) patients, cytoplasmic or nuclear accumulation in 16 (15%) patients, and complete loss in 29 (26%) patients. Loss of beta-catenin expression was associated with tumor markers, ulcerative type, liver metastases, and poor prognosis. Pancreatic invasion, lymph node involvement, and loss of beta-catenin expression were predictors of disease recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

Loss of the E-cadherin/beta-catenin complex is related to poor prognosis in ampullary cancer. Loss of beta-catenin is predictor of recurrence in multivariate analysis.