Focal adhesion kinases in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract

Background

Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) phosphorylation contributes to the regulation of growth factors that promote cellular adhesion, mobility, and survival, being a key factor in tumor development. The objective of this study was to evaluate the immunohistochemical expression patterns of FAK and its phosphorylated forms, FAK Tyr-576 and FAK Tyr-925, in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and non-neoplastic adjacent epithelial tissue.

Methods

The percentage of immunohistochemistry stained cells and its correlation with clinicopathological variables and prognosis were determined using samples from 54 patients.

Results

FAK, FAK Tyr-576, and FAK Tyr-925 overexpression was observed in tumor zones and non-neoplastic adjacent epithelial tissue. FAK Tyr-576 immunostaining showed a relationship with tumor clinicopathological parameters. Moreover, positive immunostaining of FAK Tyr-576 in non-neoplastic adjacent epithelial tissue was associated with patients prognoses.

Conclusions

Increased expression of FAK Tyr-576 could enable identifcation of tumors with a more aggressive behavior and epithelial alterations before the appearance of clinical or histological manifestations.

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