title: Beta-catenin and survivin expression in keratocystic odontogenic tumor (KCOT). A comparative immunohistochemical study in primary, recurrent and nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome (NBCCS)-associated lesions.
abstract: To determine the epithelial expression of β-catenin and survivin in sporadic (primary, and recurrent) and nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome (NBCCS) keratocystic odontogenic tumour (KCOT) in order to assess activation of the β-catenin pathway and evidence of apoptotic inhibition, processes that may contribute to the known differences in their biological behaviour.
  
  
  
  Sections from 40 cases of KCOT (19 sporadic/primary; 9 sporadic/recurrent and 12 NBCCS-associated) were immunohistochemically stained for β-catenin and survivin. The extent and intensity of immunoreactivity within the lining epithelium was assessed, using semi-quantitative scales, independently by two pathologists who were blinded to the clinical-pathological data. Data were analysed using Kruskal-Wallis test and, for pair-wise comparisons, Mann-Whitney test with Bonferroni correction.
  
  
  
  All cystic epithelial linings stained for β-catenin and survivin but there were differences in the pattern and intensity of staining among KCOT types. Sporadic primary KCOT showed weaker staining for β-catenin (P=0.0003) and survivin (P<0.0048) that was restricted to the basal and para-basal layers only, compared to sporadic recurrent and NBCCS-associated KCOT, which showed expression throughout all epithelial layers. There were no differences in β-catenin expression among recurrent and NBCCS-associated KCOT, whereas the intensity of survivin staining was higher in NBCCS-KCOT (P=0.0003). Nuclear staining for β-catenin was found exclusively in recurrent (5/9 cases) and NBCCS-associated (4/12 cases) KCOT.
  
  
  
  The data demonstrate β-catenin delocalization and survivin over-expression in recurrent sporadic and NBCCS-associated KCOT suggesting that these pathways related to apoptotic inhibition have a role in KCOT growth and recurrence.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical and Surgical Science. II Dental Unit - University of Catania, Catania, Italy. rleonard@unict.it
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Leonardi
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Matthews
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Loreto
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Musumeci
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Campisi
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lo Muzio
authors.forename: J N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: dos Santos
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pastorino
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bufo
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pannone
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017209:Apoptosis; D001478:Basal Cell Nevus Syndrome / Q000378:metabolism*; D002453:Cell Cycle; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D051034:Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D007633:Keratins / Q000737:chemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009808:Odontogenic Tumors / Q000378:metabolism*; D012008:Recurrence; D000077022:Survivin; D055815:Young Adult; D051176:beta Catenin / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: C107489:BIRC5 protein, human; C495270:CTNNB1 protein, human; D051034:Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins; D000077022:Survivin; D051176:beta Catenin; D007633:Keratins