Atypical protein kinase C λi Expression is associated with malignancy of oral squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract

BackgroundAim: Atypical protein kinase C λi (aPKCλi) is a cell polarity-regulator localized in the tight junction and apical membrane in epithelial cells. Previous studies suggested that aPKCλi overexpression and abnormal localization were involved in tumor progression in several cancers. We investigated the relationship between aPKCλi and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Materials and Methods: The correlation between the aPKCλi expression and the clinicopathological parameters in 76 OSCC cases was examined using immunohistochemical analyses. Results: aPKCλi overexpression was observed in 36.8% of cases. aPKCλi expression was more intense in poorly differentiated OSCC and younger patients (60 years of age). Although expression of aPKCλi was not significantly associated with clinical parameters, the correlation was found between aPKCλi localization and progression-free survival. Conclusion: This is the first study to assess the association of aPKCλi expression in OSCC with clinical results. Expression and localization of aPKCλi may be involved in the degree of malignancy in OSCC.