KAI1/CD82 and cyclin D1 as biomarkers of invasion, metastasis and prognosis of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the expressions and significance of KAI1/CD82 and cyclin D1 in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC).

Methods: Real-time quantitative PCR (Q-PCR) and Western blot assay were employed to detect the expressions of KAI1/CD82 and cyclin D1 in the laryngeal tissues of 86 LSCC patients, 32 patients with laryngeal polyp and 38 patients with laryngeal leukoplakia, and the influence of both proteins on the clinicopathological features and survival of LSCC patients.

Results: The changes in mRNA and protein expressions of KAI1/CD82 and cyclin D1 were consistent in three groups, and the expressions of KAI1/CD82 and cyclin D1 were significantly different among three groups (P<0.01 or <0.05). The KAI1/CD82 expression in patients with TNM stage III-IV LSCC, poorly differentiated LSCC, clinical stage III-IV LSCC or lymph node metastasis was markedly lower than that in those with TNM stage I-II LSCC, well differentiated LSCC, clinical stage I-II LSCC or no lymph node metastasis (P<0.01 or <0.05). However, there was no marked difference in KAI1/CD82 expression between males and females and among patients in different age groups (P>0.05). In LSCC patients positive for KAI1/CD82 protein expression, the median survival time was 76 months, which was significantly longer than that in LSCC patients negative for KAI1/CD82 protein expression (48 months; X(2)=16.293, P=0.000). The Cyclin D1 expression in patients with TNM stage III-IV LSCC, poorly differentiated LSCC, or clinical stage III-IV LSCC was dramatically higher than that in patients with TNM stage I-II LSCC, well differentiated LSCC, or clinical stage I-II LSCC (P<0.01 or <0.05). However, no marked difference was noted in cyclin D1 expression between males and females, among patients in different age groups and between patients with and without lymph node metastasis (P>0.05). In LSCC patients positive for cyclin D1 protein expression, the median survival time was 40 months, which was markedly shorter than that in LSCC patients negative for cyclin D1 protein expression (X(2)=9.517, P=0.02). In LSCC patients, there was a negative correlation between KAI1/CD82 expression and cyclin D1 expression (X(2)=7.86, P<0.01).

Conclusion: KAI1/CD82 affects cell cycle. Both KAI1/CD82 and cyclin D1 are involved in the occurrence and development of LSCC, and may provide clinical information for evaluation of invasiveness, metastasis and prognosis of LSCC. Thus, KAI1/CD82 and cyclin D1 may serve as markers for determination of invasiveness, metastasis and prognosis of LSCC.