[Correlation of E-cadherin, beta-catenin and gamma-catenin gene expression with the invasion and metastasis of gastric carcinoma].

Objective: To study the association of the expressions of E-cadherin, beta;- and gamma-catenins in gastric carcinoma tissues with the invasion and metastasis of the tumor.

Methods: From 60 patients with gastric carcinoma, the paraffin-embedded specimens including 60 carcinoma tissues, 20 precancerous lesions (10 intestinal metaplasia and 10 dysplasia specimens) and 20 corresponding normal tissues adjacent to the carcinomas were obtained for detecting E-cadherin, beta;- and gamma-catenin expressions by immunohistochemistry.

Results: Positive staining for E-cadherin, beta- and gamma-catenins was clearly observed on the cellular membrane throughout the epithelium in all the normal and metaplastic gastric mucosa.