Expression and clinical significance of the programmed cell death 5 gene and protein in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Objective: To determine the expression of the gene programmed cell death 5 (PDCD5) and its protein PDCD5 in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma and to analyse possible correlations with clinicopathological parameters.

Methods: PDCD5 mRNA expression was assessed using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and expression of PDCD5 protein was studied using Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma and morphologically normal para-carcinoma tissue.

Results: A total of 41 laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma and 29 normal para-carcinoma tissue specimens were examined. Expression of both PDCD5 mRNA and PDCD5 protein was significantly reduced in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma compared with normal tissue. Expression was correlated with clinical stage and histological grade, but was not associated with age, sex, location of primary tumour or the presence of lymph node metastases.

Conclusion: The expression of PDCD5 and its protein were shown to be reduced in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. The functional importance of PDCD5 as a regulating agent in cell apoptosis suggests that it may play a key role in tumour pathogenesis and development.