BACKGROUNDTo investigate the roles of E-cadherin and β-catenin genes in metastasis and prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer.

METHODSThe expression of E-cadherin and β-catenin were detected in 112 non-small cell lung cancer tissues and 30 benign pulmonary lesion tissues by immunohistochemical method (LSAB method).

RESULTSThe expression of E-cadherin and β-catenin in lung cancer tissues was significantly lower than that in adjacent non-cancerous lung tissues and benign pulmonary tissues (P < 0.01); The expression of E-cadherin and β-catenin in lung cancer tissues with lymph node and/or distant metastasis was significantly lower than that in those without lymph node and distant metastasis (P < 0.01); The 5-year survival rate in patients with low E-cadherin expression and low β-catenin expression (6.78%) was remarkably lower than that in cases with high expression (6.78% vs 35.85% and 3.78% vs 37.29%) (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSUnderexpressions of E-cadherin and β-catenin are very common in non-small cell lung cancer, and it may play an important role in the progression and metastasis of lung cancer. Detection of expression of E-cadherin and β-catenin in lung cancer might be helpful to predict prognosis.