High expression of the autophagy gene Beclin-1 is associated with favorable prognosis for salivary gland adenoid cystic carcinoma.
BACKGROUND
Although autophagy is universally involved in tumorigenesis and tumor progression, the roles of autophagy and autophagy-regulating genes in salivary gland adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) remain unknown. In this study, we investigated the expression of the autophagy-regulating genes Beclin-1, death-associated protein kinase-1, ultraviolet radiation resistance-associated gene, and phosphatase and tensin homolog in salivary gland ACC samples.


METHODS
Immunohistochemistry and real-time polymerase chain reaction were used to analyze the expression of these genes in 89 ACC samples and normal salivary gland tissue samples. The relationship of their expression with clinicopathological features was analyzed.


RESULTS
The data showed significantly lower expression of these genes in the tumor samples than in normal salivary gland tissue samples. Furthermore, Beclin-1 expression was significantly correlated with histological pattern of ACC (P<0.05), and high expression of ultraviolet radiation resistance-associated gene was associated with distant metastasis (P<0.05). Most importantly, univariate and multivariate survival analyses suggested that Beclin-1 protein and mRNA expression in cancer cells were independent prognostic indicators for ACC.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that autophagy-regulating genes may participate in the pathogenesis of salivary gland ACC. Further research will be required to gain a better understanding of autophagy in ACC.
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.
Li-Zhong
LZ
Liang
Ben
B
Ma
Yu-Jie
YJ
Liang
Hai-Chao
HC
Liu
Guang-Sen
GS
Zheng
Tong-Han
TH
Zhang
Mei
M
Chu
Ping-Ping
PP
Xu
Yu-Xiong
YX
Su
Gui-Qing
GQ
Liao
D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D001343:Autophagy / Q000235:genetics*; D000071186:Beclin-1; D017871:Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D003528:Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology* / Q000556:secondary; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000648:ultrastructure; D064550:Death-Associated Protein Kinases; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000235:genetics; D016147:Genes, Tumor Suppressor; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000473:pathology; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D051059:PTEN Phosphohydrolase / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D010307:Parotid Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D011379:Prognosis; D018987:Salivary Ducts / Q000473:pathology; D012468:Salivary Gland Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D012470:Salivary Glands, Minor / Q000473:pathology; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics
D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; C491997:BECN1 protein, human; D000071186:Beclin-1; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins; C408122:UVRAG protein, human; C579096:DAPK1 protein, human; D064550:Death-Associated Protein Kinases; D017871:Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases; D051059:PTEN Phosphohydrolase; C494929:PTEN protein, human