E-cadherin immunohistochemistry for p rostate cancer early diagnosis and monitoring of illness

Prostate cancer (pCA) is the most commonly diagnosed noncutaneous malignancy in men world wide. The natural history of prognostic factors involved in prostate cancer are not clearly defined. Hence, molecular parameters able to accurately assess the aggressiveness and the metastatic potential of the cancer are urgently needed. The E-cadherin gene, on chromosome 16q22 encodes for transmembran 120 kDa glycoprotein belonging to the group of Ca 2+ depending homophilic cell adhesion molecules (CAMs). Loss of E-cadherin function in cancer cells likely plays at least two different roles in tumor development and progression. In this study after prostatectomy procedure, the prostate specimens were analyzed for E-cadherin activity and compare with Gleason scores. It is aimed to reveal the prognostic importance of E-cadherin molecules in pCA.