Decrease of E-Cadherin Expression in Canine Cutaneous Histiocytoma Appears to be Related to its Spontaneous Regression

作者：Pires Isabel; Queiroga Feli**ina Luisa^*; Alves Anabela; Silva Filipe; Lopes Carlos

来源：Anticancer Research, 2009, 29(7): 2713-2717.

• Canine cutaneous histiocytoma
• E-cadherin
• immunohistochemistry
• tumour regression

Background: Canine cutaneous histiocytoma (CCH) is an epidermotropic tumour of Langerhans cells, most frequent in young dogs, which undergoes spontaneous regression. Materials and Methods: E-cadherin immuno-expression was analysed in ninety-three CCH, categorized according to Cockerell and Slauson (1976) criteria into four histological groups, representing different stages of tumour regression. Results: All tumours expressed membranous E-cadherin both in keratinocytes, and in tumoural cells and no differences were noted among the histological groups analysed. However, the intensity of the E-cadherin immunolabeling decreased in the presence of lymphoid infiltration and varied significantly among the groups considered (p<0.0001). Conclusion: This study strongly suggests a down-regulation of E-cadherin expression in CCH pathogenesis and progression. The loss of E-cadherin expression might represent an activation/ maturation process of the tumoural cells constituting a switch for CCH regression.

• 出版日期2009-7