THE E-CADHERIN ADHESION MOLECULE STUDY IN LIBYAN PATIENTS WITH COLORECTAL CANCER

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major cause of cancer-related death worldwide. As tumor-node-metastasis staging system still remains the gold standard assessment of CRC patient`s prognosis, but it is no longer sufficient. E-cadherinis one of the most important adhesive molecules involved in colorectal tumor growth, cell proliferation and progression. The aim of study is to investigate E-cadherin expression and evaluate its prognostic value in Libyan colorectalcancer cases. Sixty Libyan patients with colorectal cancer diagnosed between 2004-2012 in Misurata cancer centerand Zliten central hospital were retrospectively studied. E-cadherin expression was detected by immunohistochemical staining of paraffin blocks using the automatic system, focused on the membranous staining pattern and two categories were applied, negative or positive. E-cadherin expression was significantly correlate with the tumor locationwhere the colon tumor expresses E-cadherin more than in the rectal ones. Lymph nodes metastasis is more frequently detected in tumors that showed loss of E-cadherin expression. There is significant association in this current studybetween loss of E-cadherin expression and increase recurrence rate and distant metastases of the tumor. Clinicalvariables as age, gender or tumor grade showed no significant association with E-cadherin expression. Investigationof E-cadherin expression and distribution in colorectal tumors is extremely valuable for the prediction of outcomesand rate of recurrence. These data may help to improve decisions concerning the therapy and management of colorectal cancer patients.