Stem cell markers OCT4 and nestin in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma and their relation to survivin expression

We explored the expression of the stem cell markers OCT4 and nestin in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) and investigated their relationship to survivin expression. Eighty-five LSCC, and 62 non-neoplastic laryngeal tissues were analyzed immunohistochemically for the presence of OCT4, nestin and survivin. Marker expression was correlated to clinicopathological parameters. The positive detection rates of OCT4 (42.35%) and nestin (51.76%) in LSCC were higher than those of non-neoplastic mucosa (p<0.05). OCT4 expression was positively associated with nestin expression (p=0.0001). High expression of both OCT4 and nestin was associated with higher tumor grade (p=0.0001). Also, high OCT4 expression was related to higher T stage (p=0.0001). Co-expression of OCT4 and nestin was more significantly associated with glottic location, higher T stage and nodal metastasis than high expression of either marker (p=0.015, 0.006 and 0.008, respectively). Survivin expression was not significantly related to expression of OCT4 or nestin (p=0.094 and 0.266, respectively). OCT4 and nestin are overexpressed in LSCC and may contribute to laryngeal carcinogenesis. Their co-expression may help to predict the lymph node metastatic potential of LSCC. No relationship was detected between expression of survivin and OCT4 or nestin.