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Copyright Korean Society of Pathologists, Korean Society for Cytopathology Aug 2014

Abstract

Background: Epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) has an important role in invasion and metastasis of tumor cells. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the roles of EMT-associated proteins on progression and metastasis as a prognostic/predictive factor in curatively-resected (R0) head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Methods: A total of 118 patients who received curative surgery for HNSCC at Inha University Hospital between January 1996 and December 2011 were included. We used protein immunohistochemistry to evaluate the expression of E-cadherin, vimentin, and EZH2 on tissue microarrays. Also, we reviewed all medical records and analyzed the relationship between the expression of EMT-associated proteins and prognosis. Results: The E-cadherin-negative group showed more moderate/poor differentiation of cancer cell type than the higher E-cadherin-expressing group (p=.016) and high EZH2 expression was significantly correlated with nodal metastasis (p=.012). Our results demonstrate a significant association between high expression of EZH2 and vimentin and presence of distant progression (p=.026). However, expression of E-cadherin, vimentin, and EZH2 was not significantly associated with overall survival. Conclusions: These findings suggest that an EMT-associated protein expression profile is correlated with aggressiveness of disease and prognosis, and could be a useful marker for determination of additional treatment in curatively-resected HNSCC patients.

Details

Title
The Clinicopathological Significance of Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition Associated Protein Expression in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Author
Kim, Kyu Ho; Kim, Lucia; Choi, Suk Jin; Han, Jee Young; Kim, Joon Mee; Chu, Young Chae; Kim, Young-Mo; Park, In Suh; Lim, Joo Han
Pages
263-269
Section
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Publication year
2014
Publication date
Aug 2014
Publisher
Korean Society of Pathologists, Korean Society for Cytopathology
ISSN
17381843
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
1560671694
Copyright
Copyright Korean Society of Pathologists, Korean Society for Cytopathology Aug 2014