Abstract

We previously reported that aberrant expression of atypical protein kinase C λ/ι (aPKCλ/ι) in low-grade squamous intraepithelial uterine cervix lesions was associated with an increased risk of progression to higher grade. This study aimed to investigate aPKCλ/ι expression patterns in cervical squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and its association with disease progression. We immunohistochemically assessed aPKCλ/ι expression in 168 SCC samples and 13 normal uterine cervix samples. In 69.0% of SCC cases, aPKCλ/ι was expressed more abundantly than in normal epithelium, but there was no significant association between aPKCλ/ι intensity and disease progression (P=0.087, Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel test). aPKCλ/ι in normal cervical epithelium was confined to the cytoplasm or intercellular junctions. In contrast, aPKCλ/ι was predominantly localized within the nucleus in 36.9% of SCC samples (P<0.001, χ test), and the prevalence was significantly increased relative to advanced tumor stage (P<0.001, Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel test). Moreover, patients with SCC with aPKCλ/ι nuclear localization had worse prognoses than those with cytoplasmic localization (P<0.001, log-rank test). aPKCλ/ι localization differed between the intraepithelial lesion and adjacent invasive cancer in 40% of cases, while the expression pattern was similar between primary and matched metastatic tumors. In conclusion, aPKCλ/ι nuclear localization in cervical cancer is associated with tumor progression and worse prognosis. This is the first report to show aberrant nuclear aPKCλ/ι localization in a subgroup of cervical cancer patients and its association with worse prognosis.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.