Immunopositivity of Beclin-1 and ATG5 as indicators of survival and disease recurrence in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Anticancer Res. 2013 Dec;33(12):5611-6.

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the expression and prognostic value of two autophagy-related (Atg) proteins, Beclin-1 and Atg5, in human oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and to correlate findings with clinical outcomes.

Patients and methods: Immunohistochemistry for Beclin-1 and Atg5 was assessed in tumor specimens from 90 patients with OSCC. Immunopositivity was semi-quantitatively scored and receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis was used to determine the cut-off positivity score.

Results: 55 (61.1%) and 52 (57.8%) cases showed positive Beclin-1 and Atg5 staining, respectively. 40 tumors (44.4%) were positive for both Beclin-1 and Atg5 expression and 23 cases (25.6%) showed absence of both proteins. Beclin-1 expression significantly correlated with tumor grade (p=0.008) and lymph node metastasis (p=0.009). The expression of Atg5 was associated with tumor grade (p=0.016), advanced clinical stage (p<0.001), large tumor size (p=0.002), and lymph node metastasis (p<0.001). A significant difference in 3-year OS (p=0.050) and TTR (p=0.049) between the patients with Beclin-1 expression and those not showing Beclin-1 expression was found whereas the difference did not reach a statistical significance for Atg5 expression. 3-year OS and TTR differed significantly between patients with dual expression and those with double-negative expression (p=0.022 and p=0.026, respectively).

Conclusion: Dual expression of tumor Beclin-1 and Atg5 expression may be an adverse prognostic indicator for OSCC.

Keywords: ATG5; Autophagy; beclin-1; immunohistochemistry; oral cancer.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / metabolism*
  • Autophagy-Related Protein 5
  • Beclin-1
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / pathology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins / metabolism*
  • Middle Aged
  • Mouth Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Mouth Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Recurrence

Substances

  • ATG5 protein, human
  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins
  • Autophagy-Related Protein 5
  • BECN1 protein, human
  • Beclin-1
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins