Prognostic significance of dysadherin and E-cadherin expression in patients with head and neck cancer treated by radiation therapy.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of dysadherin and E-cadherin expression on the clinical outcomes, including the treatment outcomes and recurrence pattern, in patients with head and neck cancer. Patients and Methods: Tumor specimens were obtained from 48 head and neck cancer patients who were treated by radiation therapy and the specimens were immunohistochemically stained for dysadherin and E-cadherin. The expressions were graded according to the percent age area occupied by cancer cells showing positive staining for E-cadherin and dysadherin as follows: grade 0, less than 10%; grade 1, 10-50%; grade 2, more than 50%. The correlations between the expression of E-cadherin and dysadherin and the clinical outcomes, including the treatment outcomes and recurrence pattern, were analyzed. Results:The complete response (CR) rate in the patients with a dysadherin expression grade of 0 or 1 was 70% and that in the patients with dysadherin expression grade of 2 was 38%; the difference was significant (p<0.05). Regarding the pattern of recurrence, the expression grade of dysadherin or E-cadherin alone was not correlated with the recurrence pattern; however, patients with a difference in the expression grade between dysadherin and E-cadherin (Dys-Ecad value) of 1 or 2 showed a significantly higher rate of lymph node and/or distant metastasis (55%) as compared with those with a Dys-Ecad value of <1 (22%) (p<0.05). Conclusion: Dysadherin and E-cadherin expression might serve as useful