High nuclear SOX 2 expression is associated with radiotherapy response in small (T1/T2) oral squamous cell carcinoma

• Published in: Journal of oral pathology & medicine Vol. 44; no. 7; pp. 515 - 522
• Main Authors: Attramadal, Cecilie G., Halstensen, Trond S., Dhakal, Hari P., Ulekleiv, Camilla H., Boysen, Morten E., Nesland, Jahn M., Bryne, Magne
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.08.2015
• ISSN: 0904-2512; 1600-0714
• DOI: 10.1111/jop.12261

Objective Expression of the stem cell transcription factor SOX 2 is often used to imply stemness and poor prognosis in cancer. However, its role in oral squamous cell carcinoma ( OSCC ) is not fully elucidated. Material and methods Tumour tissues from 62 patients with primary, node negative and non‐metastatic OSCC s were used to evaluate SOX 2 expression by immunohistochemistry. The results were correlated to clinicopathology, treatment and disease recurrences. Results The majority of the OSCC s (88%) expressed SOX 2. Patients with higher nuclear SOX 2 staining intensity in the invasive front compared to the adjacent normal epithelium, had a remarkable longer disease‐free period if they received adjuvant post‐operative radiotherapy ( P  =   0.001). This was in particular evident for highly differentiated OSCC s, as none of the high SOX 2‐expressing tumours reoccurred in contrast to all low SOX 2‐expressing OSCC s. Conclusions High nuclear SOX 2 expression in the invasive front was associated with dramatic longer disease‐free period than low SOX 2‐expressing carcinomas after post‐operative radiotherapy in small OSCC s. The result suggested that high nuclear SOX 2 expression at the invasive front may predict radiosensitivity.