Elevated expression of keratin 17 in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma is associated with decreased survival. Issue 8 (6th April 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Regenbogen, Elliot; Mo, Michelle; Romeiser, Jamie; Shroyer, A. Laurie W.; Escobar‐Hoyos, Luisa F.; Burke, Stephanie; Shroyer, Kenneth R.
• Is Part Of: Head & neck. Volume 40:Issue 8(2018)
• Page Start: 1788
• Page End: 1798
• Publication Date: 2018-04-06
• Subjects: head and neck -- immunopathology -- biomarker -- keratin 17 -- head and neck carcinoma; Head -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Neck -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Head -- Periodicals; Neck -- Periodicals; Face -- Periodicals; 617.51059
• DOI: 10.1002/hed.25164
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1043-3074

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Overexpression of keratin 17 (K17) is highly associated with poor prognosis in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the cervix. This study was performed to (1) determine whether K17 may be a prognostic biomarker in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and (2) to establish if K17 expression is associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) status. Methods: Immunohistochemical staining was performed for K17 of oral, oropharyngeal, and laryngeal SCCs, and normal oropharyngeal mucosa. The HPV status was determined using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: Elevated K17 expression was significantly associated with an overall decreased patient survival ( P = .02) and, more specifically, in patients with oropharyngeal SCC ( P = .01). When controlling for HPV status and tumor location K17 was still a significant predictor of survival ( P = .01). Conclusion: Therefore, K17 is a novel prognostic biomarker of poor survival for patients with HNSCCs, controlling for anatomic site and HPV status.