Elevated EVI1 Expression in HPV positive HNSCC

Introduction:

Ecotropic virus integration site 1 protein homolog (EVI1) is an oncogenic transcriptional factor. In different solid cancer entities a high EVI1 expression is associated with a poor prognosis, e.g., prostate cancer. For the very first time we describe the context of EVI1 with head and neck squamous cell cancers (HNSCC).

Materials & methods: Tissue samples of 333 primary HNSCC (82 HP+, 251 HPV-) were arranged in tissue micro array and immunohistochemical staining with an antibody against EVI1 was performed. Tumor cell areas were identified and EVI1 expressions in these areas were analyzed using Definiens imaging analysis software. EVI1 expression in p16 positive HNSCC was compared to p16 negative HNSCC using SPSS statistic software.

Results:

The expression of EVI1 in p16 positive HNSCC is higher than in p16 negative HNSCC (p = 0.014).

Conclusion:

HPV positive HNSCC have a better prognosis than HPV negative HNSCC which is appreciated in the most recent 8th edition of TNM classification. Our results of a higher EVI1 expression in p16 positive HNSCC with a better prognosis than in p16 negative HNSCC seems to contradict the results of other solid cancer entities in which a higher EVI1 expression correlates with a worse prognosis. In our next steps we want to examine the role of EVI1 in metastic and recurrent disease. Furthermore we plan to investigate the molecular mechanisms between HPV infection and EVI1 expression.

Publication History

Publication Date:
23 April 2019 (online)