Pleomorphic adenoma and adenoid cystic carcinoma of salivary glands: E-cadherin immunoexpression and analysis of the CDH1 -160C/A polymorphism.

OBJECTIVE: Despite their similar cellular origin, pleomorphic adenomas (PA) and adenoid cystic carcinomas (ACC) present distinct behaviors. This study aimed to analyze the immunoexpression of E-cadherin in PA and ACC of salivary glands, and to investigate differences in its expression in relation to E-cadherin gene (CDH1) -160C/A polymorphism. DESIGN: Twenty-four PA (15 cell-rich and 9 cell-poor tumors) and 24 ACC (10 tubular, 8 cribriform and 6 solid tumors) were selected for the analysis of pattern of distribution, and cellular localization of E-cadherin. In addition, E-cadherin expression was evaluated using the H-score scoring system. The CDH1 -160C/A polymorphism was investigated by PCR-RFLP. RESULTS: No significant differences in pattern of distribution (p=0.181) and cellular localization (p=0.192) of E-cadherin were observed between PA and ACC. Comparison of PA and ACC cases revealed a higher median H-score in the latter (p=0.036). Cell-rich PA presented a higher H-score than cell-poor tumors (p=0.013), whereas no significant differences in E-cadherin expression were observed between ACC subtypes (p=0.254). The heterozygous genotype of the CDH1 -160C/A polymorphism was detected in only one PA and one ACC. H-scores for tumors carrying the polymorphism were below the lower quartile of their respective groups. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that E-cadherin expression in PA and ACC is mainly related to cellular composition (epithelial cells versus myoepithelial cells) and degree of differentiation of myoepithelial cells in these tumors. The CDH1 -160C/A polymorphism does not seem to significantly influence the expression of E-cadherin in PA and ACC of salivary glands.