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Ep-CAM expression in squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus: a potential therapeutic target and prognostic marker.
- Source :
-
BMC cancer [BMC Cancer] 2006 Jun 23; Vol. 6, pp. 165. Date of Electronic Publication: 2006 Jun 23. - Publication Year :
- 2006
-
Abstract
- Background: To evaluate the expression and test the clinical significance of the epithelial cellular adhesion molecule (Ep-CAM) in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) to check the suitability of esophageal SCC patients for Ep-CAM directed targeted therapies.<br />Methods: The Ep-CAM expression was immunohistochemically investigated in 70 primary esophageal SCCs using the monoclonal antibody Ber-EP4. For the interpretation of the staining results, we used a standardized scoring system ranging from 0 to 3+. The survival analysis was calculated from 53 patients without distant metastasis, with R0 resection and at least 2 months of clinical follow-up.<br />Results: Ep-CAM neo-expression was observed in 79% of the tumors with three expression levels, 1+ (26%), 2+ (11%) and 3+ (41%). Heterogeneous expression was observed at all expression levels. Interestingly, tumors with 3+ Ep-CAM expression conferred a significantly decreased median relapse-free survival period (log rank, p = 0.0001) and median overall survival (log rank, p = 0.0003). Multivariate survival analysis disclosed Ep-CAM 3+ expression as independent prognostic factor.<br />Conclusion: Our results suggest Ep-CAM as an attractive molecule for targeted therapy in esophageal SCC. Considering the discontenting results of the current adjuvant concepts for esophageal SCC patients, Ep-CAM might provide a promising target for an adjuvant immunotherapeutic intervention.
- Subjects :
- Disease-Free Survival
Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule
Esophagus metabolism
Humans
Immunohistochemistry methods
Models, Statistical
Multivariate Analysis
Prognosis
Antigens, Neoplasm metabolism
Biomarkers, Tumor metabolism
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell metabolism
Cell Adhesion Molecules metabolism
Esophageal Neoplasms metabolism
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1471-2407
- Volume :
- 6
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- BMC cancer
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 16796747
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2407-6-165