Reduced expression of α-catenin, β-catenin, and γ-catenin is associated with high cell proliferative activity and poor differentiation in non-small cell lung cancer

Aims—To investigate the expression of catenins (α, β, and γ) in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) and its relation to clinicopathological factors and prognosis. Methods—The expression of catenins was analysed immunohistochemically in 261 patients with resected NSCLC, diagnosed between 1978 and 1...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of clinical pathology 2001-05, Vol.54 (5), p.391-395
Main Authors: Pirinen, R T, Hirvikoski, P, Johansson, R T, Hollmén, S, Kosma, V-M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged
alpha Catenin
Analysis
beta Catenin
Biological and medical sciences
Biomarkers, Tumor - metabolism
Cadherins - metabolism
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung - metabolism
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung - pathology
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung - therapy
Catenanes
catenin
Cell Differentiation
Cell Division
Cytoskeletal Proteins - metabolism
Desmoplakins
differentiation
Female
Follow-Up Studies
gamma Catenin
Humans
Immunoenzyme Techniques
Immunohistochemistry
Lung cancer
Lung Neoplasms - metabolism
Lung Neoplasms - pathology
Lung Neoplasms - therapy
Male
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Neoplasm Proteins - metabolism
Physiological aspects
Pneumology
Prognosis
proliferation
Survival Rate
Trans-Activators
Tumors of the respiratory system and mediastinum
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Summary:Aims—To investigate the expression of catenins (α, β, and γ) in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) and its relation to clinicopathological factors and prognosis. Methods—The expression of catenins was analysed immunohistochemically in 261 patients with resected NSCLC, diagnosed between 1978 and 1996 in eastern Finland. The cell proliferation index of the tumours was analysed by means of an image analyser. The staining results were compared with clinicopathological characteristics and survival. Results—Normal catenin staining was found significantly more often in adenocarcinomas than in squamous cell carcinomas or anaplastic/large cell carcinomas. Reduced staining of α-catenin, β-catenin, and γ-catenin was related to poor differentiation of the tumour. The tumours with reduced staining of β-catenin or γ-catenin often had higher cell proliferation activity. Nuclear staining of β-catenin and γ-catenin was found in 16 (7%) and 29 (13%) cases, respectively. This nuclear staining correlated directly with increased cell proliferation and inversely with membranous staining. In survival analyses the predictors of overall and disease free survival were stage and tumour type. The expression of catenins did not affect survival. Conclusions—The expression of α-catenin, β-catenin, and γ-catenin is related to histological type and differentiation in NSCLC, although catenins have no independent prognostic value. However, this study supports the important role of the nuclear accumulation of β-catenin and γ-catenin in highly proliferative cells.
ISSN:0021-9746
1472-4146
DOI:10.1136/jcp.54.5.391