Characterization of antigen processing machinery and Survivin expression in tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma.
BACKGROUND
There is a statistically significant association between human leukocyte antigen (HLA) Class I antigen expression and improved prognosis for some patients. This association reflects the control of tumor growth by HLA Class I antigen-restricted, tumor-associated antigen-specific cytolytic T cells. However, progression of other malignant diseases is not associated with the loss of HLA expression. These observations show that the poor prognosis of a subset of tumors, despite high HLA Class I antigen expression, may reflect the development of alternative mechanisms utilized by tumor cells to escape from immune recognition and destruction.


METHODS
The authors evaluated the possible correlation between the expression of the antiapoptosis gene, Survivin, HLA Class I, and progression of tonsillar squamous cell carcinomas (TSCC) lesions. Tissue microarrays were constructed from primary TSCC, metastatically involved lymph nodes, adjacent normal mucosa, and tonsillar parenchyma excised for nonmalignant conditions.


RESULTS
Immunoperoxidase staining of tissue sections demonstrated that Survivin expression is significantly higher (P < 0.001) in malignant tumors than in normal tissue samples. In addition, Survivin expression is significantly higher (P = 0.05) in metastatic than in primary lesions. Survivin expression in primary lesions correlated positively with delta (P = 0.025), tapasin (P = 0.028), and HLA Class I antigen (P = 0.006) expression. The expression patterns of delta, tapasin, HLA Class I antigen, beta-2-microglobulin, and Survivin did not demonstrate any significant association with the clinical course of disease.


CONCLUSIONS
For TSCC that maintain the expression of HLA Class I antigen, overexpression of Survivin may provide an alternative explanation for tumor progression.
Weinman
Eric C
EC
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55906, USA.
Roche
Patrick C
PC
Kasperbauer
Jan L
JL
Cha
Steve S
SS
Sargent
Dan J
DJ
Cheville
John
J
Murphy
Linda M
LM
Chen
Lieping
L
Wettstein
Peter J
PJ
Gostout
Bobbie
B
Ferrone
Soldano
S
Strome
Scott E
SE
D017951:Antigen Presentation / Q000502:physiology; D017920:Antiporters / Q000378:metabolism; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000378:metabolism*; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000378:metabolism; D051034:Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D000077022:Survivin; D014067:Tonsillar Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin / Q000378:metabolism
D017920:Antiporters; C107489:BIRC5 protein, human; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D051034:Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D000077022:Survivin; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin; C064045:delta protein; C107762:tapasin