Localization and Level of Expression of β-Catenin in Human Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: We studied the participation of β-catenin in the histologic differentiation of laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas.

STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: At the National Institute of Respiratory Diseases, a tertiary referral center, localization and level of expression of β-catenin were compared between normal epithelium (15 cases) and primary tumors in different degrees of differentiation (38 cases), using an immunohistochemical procedure.

RESULTS: Cell membrane staining of β-catenin was observed in normal epithelium and in well and moderately differentiated carcinomas. Cytoplasmic redistribution was observed in poorly differentiated carcinomas. Loss of β-catenin correlated with tumor dedifferentiation.

CONCLUSION: Reduction of cell membrane β-catenin expression correlated with tumor dedifferentiation.

SIGNIFICANCE: Loss of β-catenin may lead to diminishing the strength of the intercellular adhesion system, thereby promoting the invasive phenotype of the squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx.

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