[The expression of Nrf2 and Keap1 in laryngeal carcinoma and its clinical indication]

To investigate the role of Keap1-Nrf2-ARE pathway in laryngeal carcinoma occurrence and development.

Thirty-five laryngeal carcinoma samples and para-carcinoma tissues were taken from the patients who accepted operation treatment in our hospital from Feb 2012 to Sep 2013. The expression levels of Nrf2 and Keap1 were detected in 35 cases of laryngeal carcinoma with SP immunohistochemical methods. The data were analyzed by the SPSS 13.0 statistical software.

The expression of Nrf2 in the 35 cases of laryngeal carcinoma was 77.14%, which in the para-carcinoma tissues was 8.57%, the difference between these two groups was statistically significant (P < 0.01). The expression of Keap1 in the 35 cases of laryngeal carcinoma was 71.43%, which in the para-carcinoma tissues was 31.43%, the difference between these two groups was statistically significant (P < 0.01). The expression of Nrf2 in I -II stage was 65.00% and in III-IV stage was 93.33%, the difference was significant (P < 0.05). The expression of Keap1 in I-II stage was 55.00% and in III-IV stage was 93.33%, the difference was significant (P < 0.05). Of the 35 cases, the positive expression rate of Nrf2 and Keap1 in laryngeal carcinoma with lymphnode metastasis were both 100.00%, compared with those without lymph nodes metastasis 68.00% and 60.00%, the difference was significant (P < 0.05). The expression of Nrf2 and Keap1 had no relationship with tumor differentiation, smoking and patient age (P > 0.05).

Keap1-Nrf2-ARE pathway may play an important role in progression of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.