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Low expression of p27(Kip1) in advanced mucoepidermoid carcinomas of head and neck
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Korea University Guro Hospital, 80 Guro-dong, Guro-gu, Seoul 152-703, South Korea.
Background:
p27(Kip1), a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, negatively regulates the G1 phase progression of the cell cycle by binding to the cyclin E/cyclin-dependent kinase 2 complex. This study was done to investigate the expression of p27(Kip1) in mucoepidermoid carcinomas and its usefulness as an indicator in tumor progression, aggressiveness, and prognosis.
Methods:
Thirty-one patients with mucoepidermoid carcinomas who had surgical resection were studied retrospectively. Clinicopathologic features, including histologic types, T stage, nodal status, perineural invasion, overall AJCC stage, and survival data, were obtained from medical records. Immunohistochemical staining with monoclonal antibodies against p27(Kip1) was performed on the formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens from each patient. The percentage of tumor cells expressing p27(Kip1) (labeling index) was evaluated by counting 1000 cells per slide in at least four different areas and comparing with the patients' clinicopathologic features and survival rates.
Results:
Significant correlation was found between low p27(Kip1) expression and tumors with high-grade, advanced T stages, positive nodal status, and advanced clinical stages (p =.001 for all) except perineural invasion. Multivariate analysis indicated that p27(Kip1) expression (p =.030) was the most significant, and gender (p =.048) was the next significant predictor of overall survival among the variables. Also patients with low p27(Kip1) expression showed poor prognosis (p =.002).
Conclusions:
We suggest that p27(Kip1) is a reliable independent marker of tumor progression, invasiveness, and prognosis in the mucoepidermoid carcinomas.
Insights
Low expression of p27(Kip1) indicates aggressive mucoepidermoid carcinomas. This cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor is a reliable marker for tumor progression and poor prognosis in these cancers.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Cycle Regulation
Background:
- p27(Kip1) is a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor that regulates cell cycle progression.
- Its role in mucoepidermoid carcinomas (MECs) as a prognostic marker is not well-established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression of p27(Kip1) in MECs.
- To evaluate its utility as an indicator of tumor progression, aggressiveness, and patient prognosis.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 31 MEC patients undergoing surgical resection.
- Immunohistochemical staining for p27(Kip1) expression (labeling index) in tumor cells.
- Correlation of p27(Kip1) levels with clinicopathologic features and survival data.
Main Results:
- Low p27(Kip1) expression significantly correlated with high-grade tumors, advanced T stages, positive nodal status, and advanced clinical stages.
- p27(Kip1) expression was a significant independent predictor of overall survival.
- Patients with low p27(Kip1) expression exhibited a poorer prognosis.
Conclusions:
- p27(Kip1) serves as a reliable independent marker for tumor progression and invasiveness in MECs.
- p27(Kip1) expression is a valuable prognostic indicator in mucoepidermoid carcinomas.
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