Evaluation of caspase-3 and caspase-8 deregulation in tongue squamous cell carcinoma, based on immunohistochemistry and computerised image analysis.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the potential role of caspase-3 and caspase-8 protein expression in the biological behaviour of tongue squamous cell carcinoma.


METHODS
We conducted immunohistochemical analyses of 87 specimens of primary tongue squamous cell carcinoma, using monoclonal anti-caspase-3 and anti-caspase-8 antibodies. A digital image analysis assay was also performed in order to evaluate the results.


RESULTS
Reduced expression of caspase-8 and -3 proteins was observed in 30/87 (34.5 per cent) and 79/87 (90.5 per cent) cases, respectively. Cox regression analysis showed no prognostic significance for the association between overall protein expression of either marker and survival probability (p = 0.174 for caspase-3; p = 0.608 for caspase-8). Interestingly, the size of the examined tumours was strongly correlated with survival status (p = 0.024).


CONCLUSIONS
Simultaneous deregulation of caspase-8 and -3 is a frequent event in tongue squamous cell carcinoma. Activation of caspase-3, which is predominantly down-regulated, may be a crucial process for induction of apoptosis and response to therapeutic strategies.
Andressakis
D
D
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, St Savas Anticancer Hospital, Athens, Greece.
Lazaris
A C
AC
Tsiambas
E
E
Kavantzas
N
N
Rapidis
A
A
Patsouris
E
E
D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D053148:Caspase 3 / Q000378:metabolism*; D053181:Caspase 8 / Q000378:metabolism*; D015536:Down-Regulation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D014062:Tongue Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology
D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D053148:Caspase 3; D053181:Caspase 8