P-cadherin expression predicts clinical outcome in oral squamous cell carcinomas

• L. Lo Muzio ^[4] ; G. Pannone ^[4] ; M.D. Mignogna ^[1] ; S. Staibano ^[1] ; M.A. Mariggiò ^[5] ; C. Rubini ^[4] ; M. Procaccini ^[4] ; M. Dolci ^[2] ; P. Bufo ^[3] ; G. De Rosa ^[1] ; A. Piattelli ^[2]
  1. [1] University of Naples Federico II

     University of Naples Federico II

     Nápoles, Italia

     
  2. [2] University of Chieti-Pescara

     University of Chieti-Pescara

     Chieti, Italia

     
  3. [3] University of Foggia

     University of Foggia

     Foggia, Italia

     
  4. [4] University of Ancona, Ancona, Italy
  5. [5] University of Bari, Bari, Italy

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• Localización: Histology and histopathology: cellular and molecular biology, ISSN-e 1699-5848, ISSN 0213-3911, Vol. 19, Nº. 4, 2004, págs. 1089-1099
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • P-cadherin, a transmembrane molecule similar to E-cadherin involved in the cell-cell adhesion, and catenins form complexes between its cytoplasmic domain and the cytoskeleton. Five cell lines, 108 specimens of oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC), 9 metastasis and 10 of normal oral mucosa were examined to evaluate P-cadherin expression and cellular localization by immunohistochemistry and western-blotting. In normal oral mucosa there was a membranous expression only in basal and parabasal layers. 91 cases (84%) showed membranous/cytoplasmic positivity, whereas 17 cases (16%) were negative. In particular, while well-differentiated carcinomas showed P-cadherin upregulation, the protein was homogeneously hypo- or unexpressed in low-differentiated carcinomas. There was a statistically significant correlation between P-cadherin expression and tumour grading: G3 tumours had a lower score than G1-G2 tumours (P<0.05). When analysed for prognostic significance, patients with no P-cadherin expression (score 0) had poorer overall and diseases-free survival rates than the P-cadherin-expressing group (score 1) (P=0.0463 and P=0.0471, respectively). Western blotting analysis of cell lines and tissue samples confirmed immunohistochemical findings. When cell staining pattern of positive cases was examined, 52 cases showed a prevalent membranous pattern, while 39 had a prevalent cytoplasmic pattern. Cases with prevalent cytoplasmic staining showed high rates of lymph node metastases (P>0.05), and regional relapse (P <0.05) and poorer survival rates than the group with prevalent membranous expression (P<0.0001). An absent P-cadherin expression could constitute a hallmark of aggressive biological behaviour in oral squamous cell carcinoma.