Clinicopathologic Correlation of Cell Adhesion Molecules E-cadherin and α-catenin Expressions in Ameloblastoma

Aim and Rationale: The present immunohistochemical study was carried out on 30 cases of ameloblastoma of varied histologic types. E-cadherin and α catenin expressions were investigated in relation to different clinicopathologic variables. The rationale of the study is to assess any correlations between the markers expressions and the growth, progression and invasiveness of the tumor.

Study Design: Retrospective study.

Place and Duration: Oral Pathology Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Mansoura University, Egypt, March 2020 to January 2021.

Methodology: Thirty formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissue blocks of ameloblastoma (17 of conventional type, 8 of unicystic type and 5 of ameloblastic carcinoma type) were examined for E-cadherin and α-catenin immunohistochemical expressions. Correlations between the markers` expression and different clinicopathological variables were investigated using Chi-square (χ2), Fisher’s exact probability test, one way ANOVA test, LSD post hoc test and Pearson correlation co-efficiency test. The P‐value ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: Both markers revealed statistically significant differences in their expression among the study groups regarding the following parameters (tumor histologic types either benign or malignant type, localization of marker expression either diffuse or focal, size of tumor and type of tumor either primary or recurrent neoplasm, p≤ 0.05). On the other hand, both molecules revealed no statistically significant differences in their expressions regarding the variables (patient age, gender and tumor site, p> 0.05).

Conclusion: E-cadherin and α catenin expressions were related to the growth, progression and invasion of tumor. That`s suggest their involvement in epithelial mesenchymal transition process.