Expression of desmoglein-I cell-adhesion molecule in primary tumors and metastatic lymph-nodes of esophageal cancer.

The expression of desmoglein I (DGI) in both primary turners and metastatic lymph node of esophageal carcinoma was studied immunohistochemically in 102 patients using an anti-DGI monoclonal antibody. Normal squamous epithelial cells strongly expressed DGI at their cell-cell boundaries. DGI expression in the tumors was divided into DGI (++), DGI (+), DGI (-) according to the staining intensity. DGI (+) or DG (-) tumors had lymph node metastases more frequently than DGI (++) tumors (p<0.01). DGI expression was the same or of less intensity, than in the primary tumor in 128 (85%) out of 151 metastatic lymph nodes. These results indicate that reduction or loss of DGI expression may promote lymph node metastases.