Expression of HGF-a, c-met and E-cadherin in carcinoma of the cervix uteri and correlation to different patterns of invasion

Objectives. Different patterns of invasion (PI) which represent different grades of tumor cell dissociation at the front of invasion have been shown to be of prognostic impact in carcinoma of the cervix uteri. But, limited knowledge exist about molecular data influencing the PI. Methods. In 76 patients with cervical carcinoma FIGO IB-II the front of invasion was examined regarding different types of PI (closed, finger-like and spray-like) and its correlation to immunohistochemical expression of HGF-a, c-met and e-cadherin.

Results. There were overexpression of HGF-a and c-met in 57% and 73% of all cases, whereas e-cadherin was expressed in 42%. Overesxpression of HGF-a and c-met showed a significant correlation to the spray-like PI, which represents the highest degree of tumor cell dissociation. There was no correlation between PI and the detection of e-cadherin.

Conclusions. The expression of HGF-a and c-met is closely correlated to tumor cell dissociation in carcinoma of the cervix uteri and suggest a profound alteration of the HGF/c-met-system and support the hypotheses of altered tumor-stromal-interaction.

c-met - cervical cancer - e-cadherin - hgf - invasion pattern