Immunoexpression of p53, Ki-67 and E-cadherin in basaloid squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx.
BACKGROUND
Basaloid is a rare and poorly-differentiated variant of squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx, with an invasive solid growth of cells in a lobular configuration. Different molecular markers, such as p53, Ki-67 and E-cadherin, have been shown to be prognostic factors in head and neck cancer.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the relationship between the immunoexpression of p53, Ki-67 and E-cadherin in relation to prognosis in basaloid squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx (BSCCL).


METHODS
We retrospectively studied 11 cases of BSCCL, all male with a mean age of 62.4 years. Immunohistochemical analyses were performed on paraffin-embedded tissues using p53 (DO- 7), Ki-67 (MIB-1) and E-cadherin (36B5) antibodies. Quantitative assessments of the expression and descriptive statistical analyses were performed.


RESULTS
In 72.7% of the cases, clinically advanced stages III-IV were diagnosed. Average survival time was 56.09 months, and 72.7% of patients died as a consequence of the tumour. Immunoreactivity of p53 (>10% of cells) was detected in the 81.8% of the cases. The 72.7% of the cases showed overexpression of Ki-67 (>50% of cells). The cases with low immunoexpression of Ki-67 and p53 had the best clinicopathological data. All cases showed a decreased expression of E-cadherin.


CONCLUSIONS
BSCCL is an aggressive variant of the squamous cell carcinoma and has a high expression of p53 and Ki-67 with a low expression of Ecadherin. These results could be related to the aggressiveness of the disease and its poor prognosis.
Rodríguez Tojo
María J
MJ
Unidad de Patología Oral y Maxilofacial, Universidad del País Vasco/EHU, Leioa, 48940 Vizcaya, Spain.
García Cano
Francisco J
FJ
Infante Sánchez
Juan C
JC
Velázquez Fernández
E
E
Aguirre Urízar
José M
JM
D000368:Aged; D015820:Cadherins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D015820:Cadherins; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53