p57kip2 Expression is related to carcinogenesis and tumor progression in laryngeal tissues

Conclusions. Reduction of p57(kip2) expression is related to carcinogenesis in laryngeal mucosa. Assessment of p57(kip2) expression may be a promising candidate as a progressive biomarker in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Objective. To investigate the expression and significance of p57(kip2) in a dysplasia/carcinoma sequence of laryngeal mucosa. Material and methods. A retrospective study was performed involving 10 cases of normal mucosa, 31 of laryngeal leukoplakia and 109 of laryngeal SCC. p57(kip2) and p53 protein expression was detected in the tissue samples of these patients using immunohistochemistry. Results. p57(kip2) expression was decreased in leukoplakia with moderate or severe dysplasia, and further decreased in SCC. No significant difference was found between normal mucosa and leukoplakia with no or mild dysplasia. In patients with laryngeal SCC, advanced tumor size and clinical stage and the recurrence of disease were associated with reduced p57(kip2) expression. The occurrence of lymph node metastasis was also related to negative expression of p57(kip2). The overall 5-year disease-free survival rate of patients with laryngeal SCC was significantly higher in the p57(kip2)-positive than in the p57(kip2)-negative group.