Distinct Association of MRE11 and ATM Co-Expression with Clinical Outcomes in Laryngeal Cancer

Radiotherapy is a cornerstone of laryngeal cancer treatment. MRE11, a key component of the MRN complex, and the ATM protein are important elements of DNA repair. This study examines the impact of MRE11 and ATM on treatment outcomes in laryngeal cancer patients treated at Bulovka University Hospital in Prague.

This retrospective study included 108 patients with laryngeal cancer treated with radiotherapy. Immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis of pretreatment biopsy samples was performed to evaluate MRE11 and ATM expression and statistically estimate the impact on treatment outcomes.

Statistically significant differences were found in subgroups of patients according to the IHC positivity of at least one of these two proteins. A statistically significant association was confirmed between IHC positivity for MRE11 or ATM protein (at least one of them) and better overall survival (OS; p < 0.001). IHC negativity for both proteins was found only in patients in clinical stage IV (p < 0.001) with the shortest OS confirmed in this subgroup of patients.

High IHC expression of MRE11 and ATM proteins was associated with earlier clinical stages and better treatment outcomes in laryngeal carcinoma, particularly when both proteins were elevated. The results point to the potential of MRE11 and ATM as predictors of treatment response, but more extensive molecular and clinical research would be needed to gain a more detailed insight.