Role of E-cadherin and β-catenin in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Aim of the study: to present and summarize current data on the prognostic value of E-cadherin and β-catenin markers for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, as well as to substantiate the potential benefit from implementing research results into clinical practice within the framework of a personalized approach to the treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.Material and Methods. We performed a literature search and review in Pubmed, Scopus, Google Scholar and RSCI databases regarding the association of the level of E-cadherin and β-catenin markers with disease prognosis, aggressiveness of tumor behavior and response to treatment.Results. Detailed information on the functions and mechanisms of E-cadherin and β-catenin proteins were presented and pathogenetic pathways involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition were described. The results of studies on the association of β-catenin and E-cadherin expression levels with the prognosis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma are collected and summarized. High expression levels of β-catenin and E-cadherin are associated with lymph node metastasis, poor prognosis and poor response to treatment.Conclusion. The expression levels of β-catenin and E-cadherin correlate with tumor invasion and lymph node metastasis, thus suggesting that β-catenin and E-cadherin can be used as potential markers of prognosis and treatment response in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Further studies are needed to evaluate the co-expression of E-cadherin, β-catenin and other squamous cell carcinoma-associated markers, their impact on prognosis and treatment response, as well as their prognostic value.