Expression of the double-stranded RNA-dependent protein kinase (p68) in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck region.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

p68 is an interferon-inducible protein kinase that is believed to be an important factor in the regulation of both viral and cellular protein synthesis. We have previously shown that p68 expression correlates with differentiation in a variety of tumors, including squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck region. The current study aims to identify the prognostic significance of p68 expression in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

DESIGN:

Archival material from a cohort of 75 patients with primary squamous carcinomas of the head and neck was immunostained for p68 with the monoclonal antibody TJ4C4. Overall scores for p68 expression were tabulated based on staining intensity and percentage of immunoreactive tumor cells. Clinical information including tumor grade, stage, site, treatment, disease-free, and total survival was tabulated and compared by p68 expression group.

SETTING:

Veterans Administration Lakeside Medical Center and outpatient clinics (Northwestern University and Veterans Administration Lakeside Medical Center, Chicago, Ill).

PATIENTS:

Seventy-five consecutive patients with primary squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (excluding the esophagus), with tissue blocks available for study, a known primary site, no history of prior carcinoma, and demographic and follow-up information available.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURED:

Disease-free and overall survival rates.

RESULTS:

While there was a wide range of outcomes within each group, as a group, high levels of p68 expression correlated with a lower incidence of recurrent or residual disease and longer disease-free and total survival times compared with groups with lower levels of p68 expression. These differences could not be explained on differences in patient age, tumor grade, and TNM stage.

CONCLUSIONS:

High-level p68 expression is associated with prolonged disease-free and overall survival in a series of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck region. Additional study is needed to monitor changes in p68 expression with treatment or tumor progression.

• Authors: G K Haines 3rd, S Becker, G Ghadge, M Kies, H Pelzer, J A Radosevich
• Journal: Archives of otolaryngology--head & neck surgery (Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg) Vol. 119 Issue 10 Pg. 1142-7 (Oct 1993) ISSN: 0886-4470 [Print] United States
• PMID: 8104427 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Monoclonal
• RNA, Double-Stranded
• Protein Kinases
• Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
• eIF-2 Kinase

Topics

• Aged
• Antibodies, Monoclonal
• Carcinoma, Squamous Cell (enzymology, genetics, pathology)
• Female
• Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic (genetics)
• Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic (genetics)
• Head and Neck Neoplasms (enzymology, genetics, pathology)
• Humans
• Immunoenzyme Techniques
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Protein Kinases (genetics, immunology)
• Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases (genetics, immunology)
• RNA, Double-Stranded (genetics, immunology)
• eIF-2 Kinase