Immunohistochemical Expression of Fatty Acid Synthase (FASN) is Correlated to Tumor Aggressiveness and Cellular Differentiation in Salivary Gland Carcinomas

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de Angelis, Camila Matsunaga ; de Lima-Souza, Reydson Alcides ; Scarini, Joao Figueira ; Abu Egal, Erika Said ; do Amaral-Silva, Gleyson Kleber ; Gondak, Rogerio de Oliveira ; de Almeida, Oslei Paes ; Chone, Carlos Takahiro ; Kowalski, Luiz Paulo ; Altemani, Albina ; Mariano, Fernanda Viviane

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Head and Neck Pathology; v. 15, n. 4, p. 8-pg., 2021-04-11.

Abstract

Fatty acid synthase (FASN) expression is closely related to cancer progression, in particular, tumor aggressiveness and poor prognosis. This study aimed to analyse the expression of FASN in carcinomas of the salivary glands and correlate it with Ki-67 expression. We analysed by immunohistochemistry the expression of FASN and Ki-67 on tissue sections from 7 cases of adenocarcinoma, not otherwise specified (AdNOS), 6 cases of polymorphous adenocarcinoma (PAC), 16 cases of acinic cell carcinoma (AcCC), 19 cases of adenoid cystic carcinoma (AdCC), 15 cases of epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma (EMC); 10 cases of secretory carcinoma (SC), 13 cases of mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC), 10 cases of salivary duct carcinoma (SDC) and 7 cases of myoepithelial carcinoma (MC). These carcinomas were classified into aggressive and indolent regarding their biological behaviour. Additionally, MEC and AdCC were also classified according to the histological grade. High expression of FASN was found in SDC (100%), SC (100%), AcCC (68.7%) and AdNOS (57.2%). No association was found between FASN and Ki-67 expression. Aggressive carcinomas showed a higher rate of Ki-67 proliferation (p < 0.001) and greater expression of FASN when compared to indolent carcinomas (p < 0.05). With regards to carcinomas categorized as indolent, FASN expression was much higher in the lesions that presented cell differentiation (SC and AcCC). Also, FASN expression was significantly higher in high-grade AdCC and MEC when compared to low-grade tumors (p < 0.05). We concluded that FASN expression was correlated to tumor aggressiveness and cellular differentiation in salivary gland carcinomas. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/07304-0 - Study of genetic and metabolic changes of pleomorphic adenoma and carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma by exome, gene expression and immunohistochemistry
• Grantee: Fernanda Viviane Mariano Brum Corrêa
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants
• FAPESP's process: 19/09419-0 - Genomic alterations in the malignant transformation of the Pleomorphic Adenoma
• Grantee: João Figueira Scarini
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate