Prognostic value of HSP27 in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: a retrospective analysis of 57 tumours.
BACKGROUND
The aims of the present study were to assess the prevalence of HSP27 expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and to verify whether HSP27 can be considered to be a marker of prognosis in patients with OSCC.


METHODS
The immunohistochemical expression of HSP27 was evaluated in 57 OSCC, who received standard treatment and monitoring. After grouping for HSP27 expression, OSCCs were statistically analysed for the variables age, gender, histological grading, TNM, staging and survival rate. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed.


RESULTS
HSP27 was found to be reduced in 31 OSCC and was normally expressed in 26 OSCC. The pattern and intensity of HSP27 immunolabelling did not show significant differences in relation to any variables retrospectively considered. In terms of prognostic significance, HSP27 reduced expression was found to have an independent association with the poorest overall survival rate (p=0.009; OR= 4.404; CI=1.444:13.427 by Cox regression).


CONCLUSIONS
HSP27 reduced expression is an early marker of poor prognosis, useful in identifying aggressive biological behaviour in OSCC cases even before relapse.
Lo Muzio
Lorenzo
L
Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy. lomuziol@tin.it
Campisi
Giuseppina
G
Farina
Antonio
A
Rubini
Corrado
C
Ferrari
Francesca
F
Falaschini
Silvia
S
Leonardi
Rosalia
R
Carinci
Francesco
F
Stalbano
Stefania
S
De Rosa
Gaetano
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D006360:Heat-Shock Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate
D006360:Heat-Shock Proteins