Open Access

Clinical importance of E‑cadherin deficiency in resectable gastric cancer: A nested case‑control study

  • Authors:
    • Cheng Zheng
    • Min Dai
    • Dongying Wang
    • Xingchen Liu
    • Zhiyi Xiang
    • Anyi Xu
    • Ping Chen
    • Feng Wu
    • Yuan Yuan
    • Shengqiang Ji
    • Lihu Gu
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: July 4, 2025     https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2025.15173
  • Article Number: 427
  • Copyright: © Zheng et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

The prognosis of gastric cancer (GC) remains unsatisfactory despite advancements in diagnosis and treatment. Epithelial‑mesenchymal transition‑induced decreased cell‑cell adhesion, often associated with E‑cadherin deficiency, serves a crucial role in tumor invasion and metastasis. However, the relationship between E‑cadherin deficiency and GC prognosis is unclear. The present study aimed to explore the association between E‑cadherin deficiency and the prognosis of resectable GC. The nested case‑control study involved prospective data collection and retrospective analysis. Between January 2013 and December 2022, a total of 1,574 patients treated for GC were eligible for prognostic analysis (104 in the E‑cadherin deficiency group and 1,470 in the E‑cadherin expression group). Logistic regression analysis was utilized to evaluate the univariate and multivariate associations between clinicopathological factors and E‑cadherin deficiency. Propensity score matching analysis at a ratio of 1:4 was performed. Kaplan‑Meier curves were employed to analyze the relationship between the prognosis of the E‑cadherin deficiency group and the E‑cadherin expression group. There were 104 cases of E‑cadherin deficiency, accounting for an incidence of 6.6%. The results of the analysis revealed that a family history of GC [odds ratio (OR), 7.60; P<0.001], poorly differentiated tumors (OR, 8.67; P<0.001), perineural invasion (OR, 1.63; P=0.030) and elevated carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) (OR, 1.83; P=0.034) were independent risk factors for E‑cadherin deficiency in all enrolled patients. Following propensity score matching analysis, 86 cases in the E‑cadherin deficiency group and 344 cases in the E‑cadherin expression group were included. Survival analysis demonstrated no statistically significant difference in 5‑year disease‑free survival rates between the E‑cadherin deficiency and expression groups (P=0.590). Similarly, the 5‑year overall survival rates were comparable between the two groups (P=0.863). In summary, E‑cadherin deficiency is associated with a family history of GC, poorly differentiated tumors, perineural invasion and elevated CEA levels. However, E‑cadherin deficiency does not impact the prognosis of resectable GC.
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September-2025
Volume 30 Issue 3

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Spandidos Publications style
Zheng C, Dai M, Wang D, Liu X, Xiang Z, Xu A, Chen P, Wu F, Yuan Y, Ji S, Ji S, et al: Clinical importance of E‑cadherin deficiency in resectable gastric cancer: A nested case‑control study. Oncol Lett 30: 427, 2025.
APA
Zheng, C., Dai, M., Wang, D., Liu, X., Xiang, Z., Xu, A. ... Gu, L. (2025). Clinical importance of E‑cadherin deficiency in resectable gastric cancer: A nested case‑control study. Oncology Letters, 30, 427. https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2025.15173
MLA
Zheng, C., Dai, M., Wang, D., Liu, X., Xiang, Z., Xu, A., Chen, P., Wu, F., Yuan, Y., Ji, S., Gu, L."Clinical importance of E‑cadherin deficiency in resectable gastric cancer: A nested case‑control study". Oncology Letters 30.3 (2025): 427.
Chicago
Zheng, C., Dai, M., Wang, D., Liu, X., Xiang, Z., Xu, A., Chen, P., Wu, F., Yuan, Y., Ji, S., Gu, L."Clinical importance of E‑cadherin deficiency in resectable gastric cancer: A nested case‑control study". Oncology Letters 30, no. 3 (2025): 427. https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2025.15173