Prognostic factors in small cell carcinomas and large cell neuroendocrine carcinomas – Especially in reference o E-cadherin and α-catenin expression *
We analyzed the prognostic factors in 41 of small ccll carcinoma (SNCC) and large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) of the lung cases. In the present study, special attention was paid to the expression of E-cadherin and α-catenin. The positive expressions of E-cadherin and α-catenin was 83% and 67% , respectively, in LCNEC case, while it was 40% and 29% in the SMCC case. The large cell component of SMCC showed strong expression of these adhesion moleculcs. Analysis of the survi val of these patients revealed a better prognosis in cases with strong expression of such adhesion molecules than in those without expression . Immunological analysis for both adhesion molecules of the LCNEC and SMCC (mixed small and large ccll type) showed positive reaction of 67% and 50% , respectively. SMCC with large cell component seems to differ the properties of the SMCC composed with only small cell carcinoma cells. The biological behavior of the former SMCC resembled that of LCNEC. (Accepted on March 9, 1999) Kawasaki Igakkaishi 25(1): 11-17, 1999
