Distinct site-specific oncoprotein overexpression in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: a tissue microarray analysis

• Published in: Anticancer research Vol. 23; no. 5A; p. 3971
• Main Authors: Freier, Kolja, Bosch, Franz X, Flechtenmacher, Christa, Devens, Frauke, Benner, Axel, Lichter, Peter, Joos, Stefan, Hofele, Christof
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Greece 01.09.2003
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - metabolism; Cyclin D1 - biosynthesis; Female; Head and Neck Neoplasms - metabolism; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Male; Middle Aged; Oncogene Proteins - biosynthesis; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc - biosynthesis; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor - biosynthesis; Receptor, ErbB-2 - biosynthesis
• ISSN: 0250-7005

Tissue microarray (TMA) analysis is a high-throughput approach that allows the screening of large tumor collectives for cytogenetic aberrrations. In this study, a TMA of a large collection of clinically well-defined primary squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck (HNSCC) was used to determine the expression of several oncoproteins. A TMA containing 547 primary HNSCC was used for the analysis of cyclinD1, c-myc, erbb1 and erbb2 expression by immunohistochemistry (IHC). CyclinD1 and c-myc were overexpressed at higher frequencies in primary pharyngeal and laryngeal carcinomas compared with primary oral carcinomas (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001), while erbb1 and erbb2 overexpression was associated with oral site (p < 0.001 and p = 0.04, respectively). Furthermore, cyclinD1 overexpression correlated with stage IV primary carcinomas (p = 0.04). HNSCC is a heterogenous group of tumors, which, depending on anatomic sites and clinical stage, shows variable expressions of the oncoproteins described. This indicates a specific pathogenic role of these oncoproteins in different subtypes of HNSCC and may have therapeutic implications.