DNA ploidy, E-cadherin, beta-catenin expression and their clinicopathologic significance in imprints of non-small cell lung cancer.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate, in imprints of resected non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs), the relationship between DNA ploidy and E-cadherin/beta-catenin expression with classical prognostic factors.

STUDY DESIGN

A total of 45 patients (28 squamous cell carcinomas and 17 adenocarcinomas) who underwent surgical treatment for NSCLC were examined with immunocytochemistry for the expression of E-cadherin/ beta-catenin imprint smears, which also were stained using the Thionin Feulgen procedure in order to evaluate DNA ploidy in the same cases.

RESULTS

Thirty-two (71.1%) of the tumors were classified as aneuploid. E-cadherin-positive expression was observed in 18 (40%) and p-catenin in 21 (46.7%) of the tumors. We found a significant relationship between DNA ploidy and grade (p= 0.005). E-cadherin and beta-catenin expression correlated with grade (p < 0.0001 for both) and also with nodal status (p = 0.004 and p = 0.017, respectively). The mean DNA index was higher for tumors with negative expression of E-cadherin/beta-catenin (p = 0.045 and p = 0.025, respectively).

CONCLUSION

DNA aneuploidy correlates with poor and moderately differentiated tumors. E-cadherin- and beta-catenin-positive expression is in relation to well-differentiated carcinomas and nodal metastasis. The relationship between DNA ploidy and E-cadherin/beta-catenin needs to be further investigated.