Analysis of eIF4E and 4EBP1 mRNAs in head and neck cancer

The eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) in conjunction with its binding protein, 4EBP1, regulates the translation of cap-dependent mRNAs. An aberrant increase in eIF4E shifts the balance in favor of translation of transcripts that promote cell proliferation and malignancy. eIF4E protein is commonly elevated in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC), and its overexpression is associated with increased recurrence. An underlying mechanism for eIF4E overexpression is gene amplification, and we wanted to determine whether eIF4E mRNA could serve as a prognostic maker of HNSCC.

Tumor specimens from 26 HNSCC patients and oral tissues from 17 control subjects were examined for eIF4E and 4EBP1 by semiquantitative RT-PCR and correlated with clinical and pathologic findings.

Unlike eIF4E mRNA alone, expression of eIF4E relative to 4EBP1 was a more precise predictor of HNSCC and its progression (P < .01, Wilcoxon rank sum test). Eight of 26 patients (31%) had elevated eIF4E:4EBP1 (4E:4EBP1; >25), and 7 of these (87.5%) had recurrence. Alternately, from 18 patients with low 4E:4EBP1 (<25; 69%), only 5 patients had recurrence (30.1%). To determine the probability of no recurrence, Kaplan-Meier analysis showed significantly poor disease-free survival in patients with elevated 4E:4EBP1 than those with low ratios (P < .01, log rank test).

Elevated 4E:4EBP1 significantly correlated with increased disease recurrence. Because 4EBP1 modulates eIF4E activity, our results highlight the importance of incorporating a joint analysis of eIF4E and 4EBP1 mRNAs in HNSCC patient care decisions.