Expression of the E-cadherin-catenin complex in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Cadherins and catenins, mediators of intercellular interactions, play a major role in adhesion. Changes in their expression and functioning reflect invasive and metastatic properties of cancer cells. The study objective was to assess changes in the expressions of E-cadherin and alpha-, beta- and gamma-catenin proteins in pancreatic duct carcinoma in correlation with clinicopathological parameters, lymph node involvement and distant metastases. Twenty-nine patients with pancreatic duct carcinoma were analyzed in relation to gender and age, histological type, histological malignancy grade (G), local lymph node involvement and distant metastases. The expression levels of E-cadherin and alpha-, beta- and gamma-catenins were subjected to immunohistochemical labeling. Reduced expression or abnormal localization of E-cadherin and alpha-, beta- and gamma- catenins were observed in pancreatic duct carcinoma. The statistical analysis did not show any correlations of the expressions of these proteins with gender and age of patients, histological type (Hp), histological grade (G) and the presence of local lymph node involvement or distant metastases. However, correlations were found between the expression of E-cadherin and beta-catenin (p<0.001) as well of alpha-catenin with beta-catenin (p=0.006) and gamma-catenin (p=0.026). Disorders in the expression of E-cadherin reveal strong associations with abnormal expressions of alpha-, beta- and gamma-catenins. Also enhanced tumor aggressiveness shows certain tendency correlations (although statistically insignificant) with the loss of E-cadherin expression and change in its localization.