ANALISYS OF THE CORRELATION BETWEEN EXPRESSION OF THE CELL ADHESION MOLECULES E-CADHERIN AND βΒ-CATENIN AND MORPHOLOGICAL PARAMETERS AND PROGNOSIS OF SKIN MELANOMA

Background: E-cadherin and β-catenin are believed to be involved in the malignant transformation of melanocytes and progression of a melanocytic tumor. However, the mechanism of this effect and the role of these molecules in progression of a tumor are not clear. Aim: To analyze the relationship between the expression of the cell adhesion markers E-cadherin and β-catenin and morphological parameters and prognosis of cutaneous melanoma. Material and Methods: Sixty-five cutaneous melanomas with retrospectively assessed outcomes were subjected to macroscopic, histological and immunohistochemical studies. Results: We revealed a strong cross-correlation of the above markers and decrease of their expression in nodular and amelanotic melanomas, as well as in melanomas with expressed prominence, high indices of Breslow thickness and volume. We found that in melanomas of stages III and IV of invasive growth by Clark reduction of β-catenin expression was associated with the decrease of disease-free survival in patients. Conclusions: The obtained results allow us to recommend β-catenin as a valuable prognostic marker for cutaneous melanomas.