Prognostic Implication of ERCC1 Protein Expression in Resected Oropharynx and Oral Cavity Cancer

Publication date: Available online 31 May 2017
Source:Pathology - Research and Practice
Author(s): Ho Jung An, Heejoon Jo, Chan Kwon Jung, Jin Hyoung Kang, Min Sik Kim, Dong-Il Sun, Kwang Jae Cho, Jung-Hae Cho, Hye Sung Won, Der Sheng Sun, Yoon Ho Ko
BackgroundExcision repair cross complement group 1(ERCC1) expression is a predictive biomarker for platinum-containing treatment in squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck (SCCHN). However, the prognostic significance after surgical resection is not well understood.MethodsOropharynx (n=143) or oral cavity (n=61) SCCHN patients undergoing surgery were included. ERCC1 protein expression and HPV status were assessed by ERCC1 and p16 immunohistochemistry.ResultsThe ERCC1, over-expressed in 66.7% of patients, was associated with oral cavity cancer (P<0.001), well differentiation (P=0.036), and HPV negativity (P<0.001). In TCGA database, ERCC1 mRNA upregulation was enriched in HPV-negative and oral cavity cancers, and associated with HRAS mutation (P<0.001). The prognostic role of ERCC1 was not different according to HPV status. High ERCC1 expression showed a trend toward poor prognosis in patients with an advanced stage (P=0.079) with marginal significance.ConclusionsThe ERCC1 expression was not prognostic in surgically resected oropharynx/oral cavity SCCHN, irrespective of HPV status. However, it could provide additional prognostic information for advanced stage patients.



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