The incidence and prognostic role of β-catenin and E-cadherin biomarkers in bladder neoplasms, a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objectives

To predict the aggressive behavior of the bladder tumor as well as the poor prognosis of the disease, the use of some biomarkers including β-catenin and E-cadherin related to the detachment of tumoral cells from its primary lesion can be very beneficial. We intended to evaluate the incidence of β-catenin and E-cadherin expression and their association with tumor biological behavior in patients suffering bladder neoplasms.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was done on 30 established bladder neoplasms on tissue assessment with evidence of malignancy on cystoscopic examination. Hematoxylin and Eosin stains were planned for pathological evaluation in terms of tumor biological behavior. Immunohistochemistry staining for two markers E-cadherin and β-catenin was done to evaluate gene expression.

Results

Overall, β-catenin biomarker was expressed in nuclear in only one patient (3.3%), while abnormal E-Cadherin staining was revealed in none of the patients. The expression of these biomarkers was independent of tumor characteristics including vascular invasion, tumor size, tumor grade, and tumor stage (P-value>0.05).

Conclusion

The change in β-catenin and E-cadherin expression probably has a weak prognostic role in the prediction of the biological behavior in bladder neoplasms as well as the clinical outcomes of patients in our society.