c-MYC Protein Expression Patterns in Laryngeal-Hypopharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinomas

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Cancer Genetics

Background:

• The c-MYC oncogene (8q24.21) is frequently overactivated, primarily through gene amplification, driving malignant transformation.
• Over activation of c-MYC is a critical genetic imbalance in epithelial cancers.
• This study investigates c-MYC protein expression differences in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) and hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HPSCC).

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore and compare c-MYC protein expression in LSCC and HPSCC.
• To assess the correlation between c-MYC expression and clinicopathological characteristics in these cancers.
• To evaluate the potential of c-MYC as a biomarker for aggressive disease and a therapeutic target.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 60 paraffin-embedded Laryngeal-Hypopharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma (L-PHSCC) tissue sections.
• Immunocytochemistry (IHC) was used to detect c-MYC protein expression.
• Digital image analysis (DIA) quantified immunostaining intensity, and correlations with clinicopathological features were assessed.

Main Results:

• High or moderate c-MYC protein expression was observed in 76.6% (46/60) of L-HPSCC cases.
• c-MYC expression significantly correlated with tumor location (p=0.03), disease stage (p=0.004), and differentiation grade (p=0.049).
• Diffuse nuclear/cytoplasmic c-MYC expression was predominantly found in advanced-stage carcinomas.

Conclusions:

• c-MYC overexpression is a frequent event in L-HPSCCs, linked to oncogene overactivation.
• Elevated nuclear and diffuse cytoplasmic c-MYC protein levels are associated with aggressive phenotypes in L-HPSCC patients.
• Targeting distinct c-MYC signatures offers a promising avenue for personalized treatment strategies in oncology.