Immunoexpression of E-cadherin, P-cadherin and fibronectin in gastric carcinomas.

One of the mechanisms involved in gastric carcinomas progression is represented by epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a complex process during which tumor cells acquire an invasive and migratory mesenchymal phenotype. In this study, we analyzed the immunoexpression of E-cadherin, P-cadherin and fibronectin in 50 gastric carcinomas, in relation with the tumoral type, differentiation grade and lesions stage. The reactions presented variable patterns related to lesions stage. Membrane and cytoplasmic reactions were present in 62% of cases for E-cadherin and in 56% of cases for P-cadherin, being present only cytoplasmic in 34% of cases for fibronectin. The immunoexpression for E-cadherin and P-cadherin was superior in tubular gastric carcinomas, of low grade and early stage, while fibronectin expression was superior in discohesive or mixed gastric carcinomas, of high grade and in advanced stages. Negative E-∕P-cadherin and positive fibronectin immunophenotype may be associated with aggressive gastric carcinomas and supports the EMT involvement in gastric carcinogenesis.