FAS/FASL Expression Profile as a Prognostic Marker in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Oral Cavity

Author(s)

de Carvalho-Neto, Paulo Bentes ^[1] ; dos Santos, Marcelo ^[2] ; de Carvalho, Marcos Brasilino ^[3] ; da Cunha Mercante, Ana Maria ^[4] ; Pina dos Santos, Viviane Priscila ^[3] ; Severino, Patricia ^[5] ; Tajara, Eloiza Helena ^[6] ; Louro, Iuri Drumond ^[2] ; Alvares da Silva-Conforti, Adriana Madeira ^[2]

Affiliation

^[1] Hosp Heliopolis, Serv Cirurgia Cabeca & Pescoco, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Univ Fed Espirito Santo, Programa Pos Grad Biotecnol, Vitoria, ES - Brazil

^[3] Hosp Heliopolis, Lab Biol Mol, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[4] Hosp Heliopolis, Dept Anat Patol, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[5] Inst Israelita Ensino & Pesquisa Albert Einstein, Ctr Pesquisa Expt, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[6] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Med, Dept Biol Mol, Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: PLoS One; v. 8, n. 7 JUL 19 2013.
• Web of Science Citations: 11

Abstract

FAS/FASL altered expression may cause tumor protecting immunomodulation, with a direct impact on patient prognosis. FAS expression was studied in 60 squamous cell carcinomas of the oral cavity. FAS expression did not show a significant association with tumor histopathological characteristics, but was significantly associated with lymph node positivity. FAS expression was significantly associated with disease specific death and negative FAS expression was an independent risk factor, increasing risk 4 times when compared to positive expression. When FAS and FASL expression results were combined, we were able to define high, intermediate and low risk profiles. Disease-free and disease-specific survival were significantly correlated with FAS/FASL expression profiles. The high risk category was an independent marker for earlier disease relapse and disease-specific death, with approximately 4- and 6-fold increased risk, respectively, when compared to the low risk profile. Risk profiles based on FAS/FASL expression showed that high risk was significantly associated with increased disease relapse and death, as well as shorter disease-free or disease-specific survival. This categorization, added to patient clinical data, may facilitate the choice of therapy, minimizing treatment failure and increasing disease control. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 04/12054-9 - Markers of aggressive behavior in head and neck tumors
• Grantee: Eloiza Helena Tajara da Silva
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants