Disorders of Small and Large Intestine : Expression Pattern Of E-And N-Cadherin In Colorectal Adenocarcinoma With Liver Metastasis

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

Background Aims: Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is known to be metastasized to the liver frequently and is the major cause of cancer-related death. Recent studies have identified several biomolecular alterations that influence prognosis after resection of liver matastases, including treatment-related and clinicopathologic factors. However, the relationship between the expression pattern of E- & N-cadherin and liver metastasis of CRC is poorly understood. Methods: The present study included 45 patients who underwent hepatic resection for colorectal hepatic metastasis. Immunohistochemical analysis of the expression of E- & N-cadherin protein was carried out for evaluating the metastatic potential of CRC. The methylation status of the E- & N-cadherin promoter was investigated by utilizing the methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP) assay in 45 patients. The correlation between E- & N-cadherin expression and clinicopathologic parameters was also analysed. Results: Abnormal E-cadherin expressions observed 42.2% (19/45) in primary cancers and 46.7% (21/45) in metastatic tumors. Abnormal N-cadherin expressions were noted 71.1% (32/45) in primary cancers and 82.2% (37/45) in metastatic tumors. Methylated alleles for E-cadherin presented 73.3% (33/45) in primary cancers and 64.4% (29/45) in metastatic tumors. Methylated alleles for N-cadherin presented 11.1%(5/45) in primary cancers and 8.9% (4/45) in metastatic tumors. Abnormal E-cadherin expression was significantly associated with hypermethylation of E-cadherin in primary CRC (P=0.036). Recurrence rate was significantly associated with liver mass size (＞3 cm) and abnormal E-cadherin expression in liver (p=0.02). Survival rate was significantly associated with liver metastasis number (multiple)(p=0.01). Conclusions: Abnormal expression of E-cadherin was significantly associated with E-cadherin promoter methylation in CRC. Liver metastatic mass size and metastasis number were significantly associated with survival rate but E-cadherin, N-cadherin and methylation state in liver were not significantly associated with survival rate.