Assessment of the immunohistochemical expression of E-cadherin in gastriccarcinoma and its correlation with clinicopathological parameters

Open Access

Abstract

Background: E-cadherin is a key calcium-dependent adhesion molecule involved in tissue integrity and cell differentiation. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition and cancer development in most malignancies, particularly gastric carcinoma, have been linked to loss of E-cadherin. This Study aimed to assess the immunohistochemical expression of E-cadherin in gastric carcinoma and its correlation with clinicopathological parameters. Methods & Materials: This cross-sectional study was performed at Shahabuddin Medical College, Dhaka, Bangladesh from October 2023 to October 2024 among 66 histologically verified cases of gastric carcinoma. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded gastrectomy and endoscopic biopsy specimens were examined. Immunohistochemical staining for E-cadherin was carried out with a monoclonal antibody following heat-induced antigen retrieval. E-cadherin expression was semiquantitatively scored and divided into aberrant (0-2+) or preserved (3+). Statistical analysis was performed in SPSS version 26, including the Chi-square test, Welch's t-test, Spearman's correlation, and multivariable logistic regression. Results: Aberrant E-cadherin expression was observed in 87.9% of patients and was maintained in 12.1% of patients. Tumour grade and E-cadherin expression were strongly inversely correlated (ρ = -0.97, p < 0.001), and well-differentiated tumours showed increased expression. The diffuse Lauren type showed significantly higher frequencies of aberrant expression (94.7%) compared to the intestinal type (78.6%, p = 0.048). Multivariable logistic regression identified histopathological grade as an independent predictor of aberrant E-cadherin expression (OR = 7.81, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Down-regulation of E-cadherin is significantly correlated with poor tumour differentiation and diffuse histological type in gastric carcinoma, suggesting its potential use as a prognostic marker and therapeutic target.