Prognostic value of activated Akt expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma

J Clin Pathol. 2005 Nov;58(11):1199-205. doi: 10.1136/jcp.2004.024786.

Abstract

Background: Akt is a serine/threonine kinase that plays an important role in tumorigenesis and influences prognosis in several cancers. However, its importance in oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC) has not been elucidated.

Aim: To investigate the association between the expression of activated Akt, clinicopathological factors, and E-cadherin, PCNA (proliferating cell nuclear antigen), and VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) expression to verify the validity of Akt as a prognostic factor in OSCC.

Methods: Phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt), E-cadherin, PCNA, and VEGF expression were assessed immunohistochemically in 84 OSCCs. The results were analysed in relation to clinicopathological factors.

Results: p-Akt was expressed in 29 cases. It was significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis, TNM stage, and E-cadherin expression. Univariate analysis showed that p-Akt expression, E-cadherin expression, PCNA expression, differentiation, tumour size, lymph node metastasis, TNM stage, and recurrence correlated with prognosis. Multivariate analysis showed that p-Akt expression is an independent prognostic factor in patients with OSCC.

Conclusions: This study revealed that Akt activation is a significant prognostic indicator for OSCC and is correlated with E-cadherin expression. The inhibition of Akt is a possible molecular approach to the treatment of OSCC.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism*
  • Cadherins / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / metabolism*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / secondary
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoenzyme Techniques
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mouth Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Mouth Neoplasms / pathology
  • Neoplasm Proteins / metabolism
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Phosphorylation
  • Prognosis
  • Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen / metabolism
  • Proportional Hazards Models
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / metabolism*
  • Survival Analysis
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / metabolism

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Cadherins
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt