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Quantitation of Protein Expression and Co-localization Using Multiplexed Immuno-histochemical Staining and Multispectral Imaging
Published on: April 8, 2016
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The combined immunohistochemical expression of AMBRA1 and SQSTM1 identifies patients with poorly differentiated
Michael H Alexander1,2,3, William J Cousins1,2, Tom Ewen1,2
1Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
Journal of Cutaneous Pathology
|February 29, 2024
Summary
Researchers identified a new prognostic biomarker for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). The combined loss of AMBRA1 and SQSTM1 expression in specific tumor areas may predict metastasis risk in poorly differentiated cSCC.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Dermatology
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- Global incidence of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is rising.
- There is a critical need for prognostic biomarkers to identify high-risk metastatic cSCC patients.
- Autophagy regulatory proteins AMBRA1 and SQSTM1 are investigated as potential biomarkers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the prognostic potential of combined AMBRA1 and SQSTM1 immunohistochemical expression.
- To identify patient subsets with increased risk of cSCC metastasis.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 68 primary cSCC samples.
- Automated immunohistochemistry for AMBRA1 and SQSTM1 in defined regions of interest.
- H-score, ROC, and Kaplan-Meier analyses were used to assess prognostic value.
Main Results:
- Combined loss of AMBRA1 (tumor growth front) and SQSTM1 (peritumoral epidermis) expression was significant.
- This combined loss identified poorly differentiated cSCCs with a higher risk of metastasis (p < 0.05).
Conclusions:
- Loss of combined AMBRA1 and SQSTM1 expression serves as a potential prognostic biomarker.
- This biomarker can identify patients with poorly differentiated cSCC at risk for metastasis.
- Further validation is suggested for this proof-of-concept study.
