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Localization‐specific LKB1 loss in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma metastasis
Author(s) -
Kline Erik R.,
Muller Susan,
Pan Lin,
Tighiouart Mourad,
Chen Zhuo Georgia,
Marcus Adam I.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
head and neck
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.012
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1097-0347
pISSN - 1043-3074
DOI - 10.1002/hed.21638
Subject(s) - head and neck squamous cell carcinoma , metastasis , medicine , immunohistochemistry , primary tumor , lymph node , cancer , head and neck cancer , cancer research , pathology , carcinoma , oncology
Background LKB1 loss is associated with invasive carcinoma and metastasis. In head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), lymph node metastasis status is the strongest predictor of survival. Methods LKB1 immunohistochemistry was performed on primary tumors from patients with HNSCC who never developed metastases, patients with metastases, and their paired lymph node metastasis to determine whether LKB1 was associated with HNSCC metastasis. Results LKB1 was expressed in the nucleus and cytoplasm of tumor cells and HNSCC cell lines. Primary tumors from patients with metastatic carcinoma had decreased nuclear, but not cytoplasmic, LKB1 compared to patients with nonmetastatic cancer. Nuclear LKB1 levels correlated with lymph node metastasis grade and primary tumor site. The percentage of tumor cells negative for nuclear LKB1 staining was greatest in the primary metastatic tumor group, and decreased nuclear LKB1 trended toward worse disease‐free survival. Conclusion Decreased nuclear LKB1 levels correlate with HNSCC metastasis and suggest a nuclear function of LKB1 in repressing HNSCC metastasis. Head Neck, 2010