Characterization of antigen processing machinery and Survivin expression in tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

There is a statistically significant association between human leukocyte antigen (HLA) Class I antigen expression and improved prognosis for some patients. This association reflects the control of tumor growth by HLA Class I antigen-restricted, tumor-associated antigen-specific cytolytic T cells. However, progression of other malignant diseases is not associated with the loss of HLA expression. These observations show that the poor prognosis of a subset of tumors, despite high HLA Class I antigen expression, may reflect the development of alternative mechanisms utilized by tumor cells to escape from immune recognition and destruction.

METHODS:

The authors evaluated the possible correlation between the expression of the antiapoptosis gene, Survivin, HLA Class I, and progression of tonsillar squamous cell carcinomas (TSCC) lesions. Tissue microarrays were constructed from primary TSCC, metastatically involved lymph nodes, adjacent normal mucosa, and tonsillar parenchyma excised for nonmalignant conditions.

RESULTS:

Immunoperoxidase staining of tissue sections demonstrated that Survivin expression is significantly higher (P < 0.001) in malignant tumors than in normal tissue samples. In addition, Survivin expression is significantly higher (P = 0.05) in metastatic than in primary lesions. Survivin expression in primary lesions correlated positively with delta (P = 0.025), tapasin (P = 0.028), and HLA Class I antigen (P = 0.006) expression. The expression patterns of delta, tapasin, HLA Class I antigen, beta-2-microglobulin, and Survivin did not demonstrate any significant association with the clinical course of disease.

CONCLUSIONS:

For TSCC that maintain the expression of HLA Class I antigen, overexpression of Survivin may provide an alternative explanation for tumor progression.

• Authors: Eric C Weinman, Patrick C Roche, Jan L Kasperbauer, Steve S Cha, Dan J Sargent, John Cheville, Linda M Murphy, Lieping Chen, Peter J Wettstein, Bobbie Gostout, Soldano Ferrone, Scott E Strome
• Journal: Cancer (Cancer) Vol. 97 Issue 9 Pg. 2203-11 (May 01 2003) ISSN: 0008-543X [Print] United States
• PMID: 12712472 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)
• Copyright: Copyright 2003 American Cancer Society.DOI 10.1002/cncr.11311

Chemical References

• Antiporters
• BIRC5 protein, human
• Histocompatibility Antigens Class I
• Homeodomain Proteins
• Immunoglobulins
• Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins
• Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
• Membrane Proteins
• Membrane Transport Proteins
• Microtubule-Associated Proteins
• Neoplasm Proteins
• Survivin
• beta 2-Microglobulin
• delta protein
• tapasin

Topics

• Antigen Presentation (physiology)
• Antiporters (metabolism)
• Carcinoma, Squamous Cell (metabolism, pathology, therapy)
• Case-Control Studies
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
• Histocompatibility Antigens Class I (metabolism)
• Homeodomain Proteins (metabolism)
• Humans
• Immunoenzyme Techniques
• Immunoglobulins (metabolism)
• Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins
• Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
• Male
• Membrane Proteins (metabolism)
• Membrane Transport Proteins
• Microtubule-Associated Proteins (metabolism)
• Middle Aged
• Neoplasm Proteins
• Neoplasm Staging
• Survivin
• Tonsillar Neoplasms (metabolism, pathology, therapy)
• beta 2-Microglobulin (metabolism)