Prognostic significance of 14-3-3sigma expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC)

14-3-3sigma an intracellular phosphoserine binding protein regulates different cellular signalling processes and is involved in cancer development. In this study, we examined the expression of 14-3-3sigma and evaluated its clinical significance in OSCC. Tumour tissue from 95 OSCC patients was analysed for 14-3-3sigma and p53 expression, respectively. The correlation of these proteins with survival and clinical parameters was assessed. 14-3-3sigma high expression was observed in 44.2% of OSCC patients. A significant role of 14-3-3sigma expression on survival was shown by Kaplan-Meier analysis. Median survival time was 4.1years for patients with 14-3-3sigma low tumours, compared with 1.36years for 14-3-3sigma high tumours (P=.0021). Subset analysis in patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy showed that the overall survival was significantly decreased in 14-3-3sigma high tumours than in 14-3-3sigma low tumours (P=.02). p53 expression was not significant in univariate analyses. In multivariate regression analysis, 14-3-3sigma expression emerged as a significant independent parameter (P=.003). These results provide evidence that 14-3-3sigma expression is involved in OSCC and, in contrast to p53 expression represents a new prognostic marker for OSCC and therapy response. Pending validation targeting 14-3-3sigma might also be a new opportunity to improve therapy.