The cadherin-catenin complex in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma

Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2012 Apr;269(4):1183-8. doi: 10.1007/s00405-011-1892-4. Epub 2011 Dec 25.

Abstract

Abnormal Wnt signaling and impaired cell-cell adhesion due to abnormal E-cadherin and β-catenin function have been implicated in many cancers, but have not been fully explored in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. In this study, β-catenin cellular location and E-cadherin expression levels were analyzed in 16 laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas (LSCCs) (9 glottic and 7 supraglottic) and 11 samples of non-tumoral inflammatory larynx tissue, using immunohistochemical methods. All non-tumoral tissues showed equally strong membranous expression of β-catenin, while cytoplasmic expression was found in only 3 of the 11 samples. By contrast, whereas 8/9 glottic LSCCs exhibited only membranous expression of β-catenin, 6/7 supraglottic LSCCs displayed both membranous and cytoplasmic expression (p = 0.003). Strong E-cadherin staining was observed in 9/11 non-tumoral tissues and 7/9 glottic LSCCs, whereas 4/7 supraglottic LSCCs exhibited weak expression. Reduced membrane expression of E-cadherin and cytoplasmic retention of β-catenin in supraglottic LSCC seems to be related with more aggressive biological behavior which has been described in clinical studies. Further research is required to clarify the involvement of β-catenin in the mechanism associated with malignant transformation in laryngeal tissues.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism
  • Cadherins / biosynthesis*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / metabolism*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / pathology
  • Disease Progression
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Laryngeal Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Laryngeal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prognosis
  • Young Adult
  • beta Catenin / biosynthesis*

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Cadherins
  • beta Catenin