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Focal adhesion kinase overexpression: Correlation with lymph node metastasis and shorter survival in oral squamous cell carcinoma
Author(s) -
de Vicente Juan Carlos,
Rosado Pablo,
LequericaFernández Paloma,
Allonca Eva,
Villallaín Lucas,
HernándezVallejo Gonzalo
Publication year - 2013
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.23038
Subject(s) - focal adhesion , immunohistochemistry , lymph node metastasis , medicine , metastasis , lymph node , cell , cancer research , pathology , basal cell , oncology , biology , cancer , genetics
Background Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) has been identified as a key mediator in tumor progression. The objective of this study was to determine the role of FAK as a predictor of neck node metastasis and poor prognosis in oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs). Methods FAK expression in normal oral mucosa and in 69 OSCCs was examined by immunohistochemistry, and the percentage of stained cells was recorded. The correlation of these findings with clinicopathologic variables and survival was studied. Results FAK expression in OSCCs was heterogeneous: 33.3% of cases showed weak expression; 23.2%, moderate expression, and 33.3% cases showed high expression. FAK expression significantly correlated with tumor size ( p = .010), neck node metastasis ( p = .01), and local tumor recurrence ( p = .01). FAK expression was an independent prognostic factor in the survival analysis ( p = .017). Conclusions Increased expression of FAK may play a role in invasiveness and metastasis of OSCCs, which contribute to poor prognosis and low survival. Head Neck, 2012