Reduced p120^ctn expression correlates with poor survival in patients with adenocarcinoma of the gastroesophageal junction

Background and Objectives: P120-catenin (p120^ctn) is a member of the E-cadherin-catenin cell-cell adhesion complex. Impairment of one or more of the components of this complex is associated with tumorigenesis. The role of p120^ctn in malignancy is not clear yet. We studied the in vivo expression and cellular localization of p120^ctn in adenocarcinomas of the gastroesophageal junction. Methods: Immunohistochemical staining for p120^ctn was performed on 96 tumor samples, 20 cases of Barretts metaplasia and 13 lymph node metastases. The relationship with pathological characteristics and patient survival was also assessed. Results: Loss of normal surface p120^ctn expression was found in 4/20 (20%) Barretts metaplasia, in 65/96 (68%) tumors, and 11/13 (85%) lymph node metastases. Nuclear immunoreactivity for p120^ctn was seen in five tumors. Loss of normal expression of p120^ctn was associated with a higher tumor grade (P < 0.0001) but not with pTNM-stage. Reduced expression of p120 ^ctn was correlated with poor survival (P = 0.0002). Cox regression analysis showed that p120^ctn is an independent prognostic marker. Conclusions: Abnormal p120^ctn expression is frequently seen in adenocarcinomas of the gastroesophageal junction, and may be a useful as a prognostic marker in these tumors.