Serum-Soluble E-Cadherin Fragments in Lung Cancer

Abstract

Aims and background

E-cadherin, also known as uvomorulin or cell-CAM 120/80, is one of the subclasses of cadherins, CA²⁺-dependent cell adhesion molecules. Several recent studies have suggested that loss of E-cadherin may be associated with tumor progression, such as in lung, gastric, hepatocellular, breast and prostatic carcinoma. Assessment of E-cadherin serum levels in lung cancer showed a relation to histologic type.

Methods and study design

Using an enzyme immunoassay, we determined E-cadherin serum levels in 79 patients affected with lung cancer (stage l–IV), 9 patients with breast cancer, 23 patients with different benign diseases, and 20 healthy patients.

Results

At a specificity level of 90%, E-cadherin diagnostic sensitivity was 66.6%, 47.6% and 43.7% in patients affected with squamous cell carcinoma, small cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma, respectively.

Conclusions

Preliminary results suggest the use of serum E-cadherin as a prospective tumor marker.