E-cadherin and CD10 expression in atypical hyperplastic and malignant endometrial lesions

J Egypt Natl Canc Inst. 2014 Dec;26(4):211-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jnci.2014.08.002. Epub 2014 Oct 2.

Abstract

Background: Loss of E-cadherin is a critical step for development and progression of malignant tumors. CD10; a marker of non-neoplastic and neoplastic endometrial stroma, is associated with aggressiveness of many epithelial malignancies.

Aims: To evaluate expression and correlation of E-cadherin and CD10 in endometrial lesions and their possible role in differentiating atypical endometrial hyperplasia from endometrial carcinoma. The association of E-cadherin and CD10 expression with clinico-pathological parameters of endometrial carcinoma was also investigated.

Materials and methods: Fifty four cases including 28 endometrial carcinomas; 19 endometrial hyperplasia and 7 cases of normal endometrial changes were enrolled for this study. The expression of E-cadherin and CD10 was evaluated by immunohistochemistry using the streptavidin-biotin technique.

Results: There was a strong association between malignant change of endometrial glands and membrano-cytoplasmic localization of E-cadherin (p<0.001). Expression of E-cadherin but not CD10 was significantly higher in endometrial carcinomas compared to atypical endometrial hyperplasia (p<0.01). Expression of E-cadherin was not associated with CD10 expression in different endometrial lesions. High grade tumors expressed low levels of both E-cadherin (p<0.01) and CD10 (p<0.05) and serous endometrial carcinoma had low E-cadherin and CD10 expression compared to endometrioid carcinoma (p<0.01 and <0.05, respectively). Expression of both molecules showed no association with depth of tumor invasion or FIGO stage. Tumors with lower E-cadherin or CD10 expression had higher rates of vascular tumor emboli (p<0.01 and <0.07, respectively).

Conclusions: Although expression of E-cadherin and CD10 in endometrial lesions was not correlated, reduced expression of both molecules could be critical for progression of endometrial carcinoma.

Keywords: CD10; E-cadherin; Endometrial carcinoma; FIGO stage; Vascular tumor emboli.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antigens, CD
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Biotin / chemistry
  • Cadherins / metabolism*
  • Carcinoma / metabolism*
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cytoplasm / metabolism
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Endometrium / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • Hyperplasia / pathology*
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Neprilysin / metabolism*
  • Streptavidin / chemistry
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • CDH1 protein, human
  • Cadherins
  • Biotin
  • Streptavidin
  • Neprilysin