- beta-Catenin Expression in Gastric Carcinogenesis.
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Haeyoun Kang, Yon Rak Choi, Hoguen Kim
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Korean J Pathol. 2001;35(5):376-382.
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Abstract
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- BACKGROUND
The molecular pathogenesis of gastric carcinoma is not yet well characterized. The purpose of this study is to assess the role of beta-catenin in gastric carcinogenesis. METHODS We analyzed beta-catenin expression using immunohistochemistry on 68 gastric adenomas and 34 gastric adenocarcinomas, and compared the result with pathological and molecular types of tumors and E-cadherin expression. RESULTS Nuclear expression of beta-catenin was noted more frequently in gastric adenomas than in carcinomas (40% vs.
21%, 0.05< or = P<1). There was no significant relationship between nuclear beta-catenin expression and histologic degree of adenoma, histologic type of carcinoma or microsatellite instability. E-cadherin expression showed significantly more frequent decrease in the membrane stainability of carcinomas compared to adenomas (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS The frequent nuclear beta-catenin expression in gastric adenomas suggests that the beta-catenin alteration might play an early role in gastric carcinogenesis.
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