Human kallikrein 14 (KLK14) expression in salivary gland tumors.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the expression of human kallikrein 14 (KLK14) in salivary gland tumors.


METHODS
A standard immunoperoxidase staining technique was used to assess the expression profile of KLK14 in normal salivary glands and tumors including pleomorphic adenoma (PA; n=17), adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC; n=13) and mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC; n=9). Tumor stage, grade, patient age and gender, and site of occurrence were recorded. These clinical parameters were correlated with KLK14 levels in malignant tumors. The expression profiles for KLK3, 5, 6, 8 and 13 were also retrieved.


RESULTS
Normal salivary glands, PA, ACC and MEC showed strong expression of KLK14 in ductal and non-ductal cells. Both PA and ACC showed higher KLK14 levels than normal glands and MEC tissues. There were no statistically significant associations between levels of KLK14 and clinical parameters.


CONCLUSIONS
The differences in the levels of KLK14 suggest that KLKs may aid in the differential diagnosis of salivary gland tumors. The coexpression of KLKs suggests their possible involvement in an enzymatic pathway activated in salivary gland. KLK14 may be a promising new biomarker in salivary gland tumors.
Department of Pathology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario - Canada.
Nelly N
NN
Hashem
Thomas W
TW
Mara
Mohamed
M
Mohamed
Irene
I
Zhang
Kevin
K
Fung
Keith F
KF
Kwan
Thomas D
TD
Daley
Eleftherios P
EP
Diamandis
Mark R
MR
Darling
D008949:Adenoma, Pleomorphic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000201:enzymology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism*; D003528:Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000201:enzymology; D018277:Carcinoma, Mucoepidermoid / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000201:enzymology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007610:Kallikreins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012016:Reference Values; D012468:Salivary Gland Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000201:enzymology*; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000201:enzymology
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C425336:KLK14 protein, human; D007610:Kallikreins