Serum-soluble E-cadherin fragments in lung cancer
Cioffi, M.; Gazzerro, P.; Di Finizio, B.; Vietri, M.T.; Di Macchia, C.; Puca, G.A.; Molinari, A.M.
Tumori 85(1): 32-34
1999
ISSN/ISBN: 0300-8916 PMID: 10228494 Document Number: 511780
Aims and background: E-cadherin, also known as uvomorulin or cell-CAM 120/80, is one of the subclasses of cadherins, CA2+-dependent cell adhesion molecules. Several recent studies have suggested that loss of E-cadherin may be associated with tumor progression, such as in lung, gastric, hepatocellular, breast and prostatic carcinoma. Assessment of E-cadherin serum levels in lung cancer showed a relation to histologic type. Methods and study design: Using an enzyme immunoassay, we determined E-cadherin serum levels in 79 patients affected with lung cancer (stage I-IV), 9 patients with breast cancer, 23 patients with different benign diseases, and 20 healthy patients. Results: At a specificity level of 90%, E-cadherin diagnostic sensitivity was 66.6%, 47.6% and 43.7% in patients affected with squamous cell carcinoma, small cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma, respectively. Conclusions: Preliminary results suggest the use of serum E-cadherin as a prospective tumor marker.