Distinct site-specific oncoprotein overexpression in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: a tissue microarray analysis.
BACKGROUND
Tissue microarray (TMA) analysis is a high-throughput approach that allows the screening of large tumor collectives for cytogenetic aberrrations. In this study, a TMA of a large collection of clinically well-defined primary squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck (HNSCC) was used to determine the expression of several oncoproteins.


METHODS
A TMA containing 547 primary HNSCC was used for the analysis of cyclinD1, c-myc, erbb1 and erbb2 expression by immunohistochemistry (IHC).


RESULTS
CyclinD1 and c-myc were overexpressed at higher frequencies in primary pharyngeal and laryngeal carcinomas compared with primary oral carcinomas (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001), while erbb1 and erbb2 overexpression was associated with oral site (p < 0.001 and p = 0.04, respectively). Furthermore, cyclinD1 overexpression correlated with stage IV primary carcinomas (p = 0.04).


CONCLUSIONS
HNSCC is a heterogenous group of tumors, which, depending on anatomic sites and clinical stage, shows variable expressions of the oncoproteins described. This indicates a specific pathogenic role of these oncoproteins in different subtypes of HNSCC and may have therapeutic implications.
Freier
Kolja
K
Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, Abt. Molekulare Genetik (H0700), TP3, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
Bosch
Franz X
FX
Flechtenmacher
Christa
C
Devens
Frauke
F
Benner
Axel
A
Lichter
Peter
P
Joos
Stefan
S
Hofele
Christof
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism*; D019938:Cyclin D1 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015513:Oncogene Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D016271:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / Q000096:biosynthesis; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases / Q000096:biosynthesis
D019938:Cyclin D1; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D015513:Oncogene Proteins; D016271:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases