摘要
OBJECTIVE To explore the expression and the function of cell adhesion molecules in invasive micropapillary carcinoma (IMPC) of the breast, and to investigate the metastatic mechanism of IMPC. METHODS The expression of E-cadherin, α-catenin and β-catenin was detected by imrnunohistochemical staining in 64 cases of IMPC, and compared with that of invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC). RESULTS E-cadherin and β-catenin were mainly expressed on the cell membrane of tumors, and cc-catenin was expressed in the cytoplasm and/or on the cell membrane. The expression of E-cadherin in IMPC was significantly higher than that in IDC. Furthermore, the expression of E-cadherin was mainly on the intercellular contact surface of the tumor cell clusters in IMPC, while that on the outer surface of the tumor cell clusters decreased or could not be detected. The degree of lymph nodes metastases in IMPC was significantly higher than that in IDC. The co-expressions of α-catenin and β-catenin in cases of lymph nodes metastases along with the expression of E-cadherin in IMPC were significantly higher than that in IDC. CONCLUSIONS These findings indicated that the adhesiveness of the intercellular contact surfaces of tumor clusters in IMPC was strong, while that of the outer surface of tumor clusters was decreased or lost. It is suggested that the adhesive characteristic of the cells in IMPC might play an important role in its higher metastatic potential.
