Distribution of Beta-Catenin Expression in Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma of the Head and Neck / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: beta-catenin has functions in cell-cell adhesion with a complex of proteins that link cadherin to the cortical actin cytoskeleton and signal transduction through wnt developmental pathway. In this study, we investigated the distribution of beta-catenin in adenoid cystic carcinoma according to the histologic subtypes, perineural invasion, T classification, nodal status and stage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Each formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded surgical specimens were obtained from seventeen patients with adenoid cystic carcinoma. We performed immunohistochemical staining with beta-catenin monoclonal antibodies and compared its staining patterns with patients' clinical characteristics. RESULTS: In tubular subtype, there were intense membranous staining pattern than other subtypes (p0.05). CONCLUSIONS: It is suggest that there are mixed functional roles of beta-catenin in adenoid cystic carcinoma in tumor aggressiveness.

p27(Kip1) and Ki-67 Expression in Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: p27(Kip1), novel cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor plays an important role in the inhibition of cell cycle progression by binding to the cyclin E/cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 2 complex. And a nuclear antigen Ki-67, expressed in all phases of cell cycle except G0, is a reliable cellular proliferative index. The present study investigated p27(Kip1) and Ki-67 expressions in mucoepidermoid carcinoma for their usefulness of indicator in tumor progression, aggressiveness and prognosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded surgical specimens were obtained from patients with mucoepidermoid carcinoma. We performed immunohistochemical staining with p27(Kip1) and Ki-67 monoclonal antibodies and compared its labeling index with patients' clinicopathologic characteristics and survival rates. RESULTS: There was significant correlation between low p27(Kip1), high Ki-67 expression and high grade, large tumor size, positive nodal status and high stages. Also, Ki-67 expression showed significant inverse correlation with p27(Kip1) expression and there were high survival rates in high p27(Kip1) and low Ki-67 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Therefore, p27(Kip1) and Ki-67 are good and reliable predictive markers of tumor progression, aggressiveness and prognosis in mucoepidermoid carcinomas.