Prognostic Significance of AMP-Dependent Kinase Alpha Expression in Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer is one of the most common gynecological malignancies worldwide, and its association with the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is still unknown. We aimed to investigate the clinical correlation between AMPK expression and cervical cancer.

The expression of AMPKα1, AMPKα2 and phosphorylated AMPKα (p-AMPKα) was determined immunohistochemically in 524 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded malignant and premalignant cervical tissues. Subsequently, associations with clinicopathological characteristics and patient survival were assessed.

AMPKα2 expression was observed in the cytoplasm and nucleus, while expression of AMPKα1 and p-AMPKα was mainly observed in the cytoplasm. p-AMPKα expression increased during the normal-to-tumor transition of cervical carcinoma (p < 0.001), but, once cancer developed, the expression of AMPKα2 and p-AMPKα decreased in large-sized tumors when compared to smaller tumors (36 vs. 68%, p = 0.004 and 39 vs. 64%, p = 0.029, respectively). Notably, AMPKα2 expression was significantly associated with better disease-free survival (HR 0.29, 95% CI 0.10-0.86, p = 0.026).

The AMPKα2 isoform showed potential as a favorable prognostic marker in cervical cancer. Therefore, additional studies are necessary to further clarify the complex contribution of AMPK isoforms and of phosphorylation status to cervical cancer progression and prognosis.