Reduced E-cadherin expression is a predictor of lower overall survival and metastatic disease in invasive ductal breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: E-cadherin, a transmembrane adhesion molecule, is implicated in the development of many solid tumors as well as in the acquisition of metastatic potential of epithelial tumors. Its clinical use has yet to be established. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The prognostic value of E-cadherin expression in 134 invasive ductal breast carcinoma patients over a 10-year follow-up period was investigated. Additionally, the correlation between E-cadherin expression and other traditional prognostic factors was investigated. RESULTS: A statistically significant influence on overall survival was found for estrogen receptor, tumor size, histological and nuclear grade, HER2, lymph node involvement, vascular invasion, proliferative index, and E-cadherin. E-cadherin expression had a significant impact on overall survival and development of metastases in the group of patients not receiving chemotherapy, while it had no such effect in the group of patients who received chemotherapy. CONCLUSION: We conclude that determination of E-cadherin expression can be used as an adjunct in selecting patients who may benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy in the presence of otherwise favorable prognostic factors.