Frequent loss of claudin-4 expression in dedifferentiated and undifferentiated endometrial carcinomas

摘要

Intro:Dedifferentiated/undifferentiated endometrial carcinomas (DDEC/UEC) are aggressive endometrial cancers with frequent genomic inactivation of core components of switch/sucrose non-fermentable (SWI/SNF) complex proteins. Claudin-4, an epithelial intercellular tight junction protein was recently found to be expressed in SWI/SNF-deficient undifferentiated carcinomas but not SWI/SNF-deficient sarcomas. The aim of this study is to examine claudin-4 expression in UEC/DDEC and other high-grade uterine carcinomas.