Correlation of E-cadherin expression with clinicopathological data in patients suffering from transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder

Epithelial cadherin (E-cadherin, E-cad) is a calcium-dependent cell-cell adhesion molecule that binds cells through homotypic fashion interactions. Its role is crucial in the induction and maintenance of cell polarity and differentiation. Downregulation or loss of its function is associated with an invasive and aggressive phenotype in many types of human cancers. 45 male patients (mean age 63 years, age range from 29 years to 87 years) with transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder were included in the study. E-cad expression was estimated immunohistochemically in a semiquantitative fashion using light microscopy. An avidin-biotin immunoperoxidase technique was employed using anti E-cad murine monoclonal antibodies. Loss of the E-cad normal surface expression by the bladder cells was found in 32/45 (71%) of patients compared to normal bladder epithelia observed at the intercellular borders (p