Survivin and epidermal growth factor receptor expression in surgically treated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.
BACKGROUND
The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and the inhibitor of apoptosis protein survivin play important roles in the regulation of cellular proliferation and survival in squamous cell carcinomas. Their correlation in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) has not been evaluated yet.


METHODS
In this multicenter study, we analyzed the expression of survivin and EGFR in tissue specimens from 73 selected patients with OSCC using immunohistochemistry.


RESULTS
Higher cytoplasmic survivin scores were significantly correlated with high scores of EGFR expression (p=.013). Nuclear survivin expression was associated with a poor overall survival rate with an estimated 3-year overall survival probability of 17.3% versus 87.4% for non-nuclear expression of survivin (p<.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that nuclear survivin expression was an independent negative prognostic factor (p=.008).


CONCLUSIONS
Considering the strong impact of nuclear survivin expression on survival, the survivin expression should be prospectively evaluated to select patients with an increased risk for disease recurrence.
Preuss
Simon Florian
SF
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany. simon.preuss@uni-kohln.de
Weinell
Antje
A
Molitor
Markus
M
Semrau
Robert
R
Stenner
Markus
M
Drebber
Uta
U
Wedemeyer
Inga
I
Hoffmann
Thomas K
TK
Guntinas-Lichius
Orlando
O
Klussmann
Jens Peter
JP
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000601:surgery; D015853:Cysteine Proteinase Inhibitors / Q000032:analysis*; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D051034:Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins; D008297:Male; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D009959:Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000601:surgery; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis; D000077022:Survivin
C107489:BIRC5 protein, human; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D015853:Cysteine Proteinase Inhibitors; D051034:Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D000077022:Survivin; D066246:ErbB Receptors