Expression of TAZ, YAP, and β-catenin in cervical squamous cell carcinoma and their clinical significance.

YAP/TAZ and β-catenin are important effectors in the Hippo and Wnt signaling pathways, respectively, which are involved in the development of human tumors. Using immunohistochemistry, the expression levels of the three proteins were determined in 151 cervical tissue samples (including 28 normal cervical, 31 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, and 92 cervical squamous cell carcinoma [CSC] tissues), which were excised or biopsied by surgery. The results showed that the three proteins were differently expressed in normal, precancerous, and CSC tissues, and β-catenin expression positively correlated with both YAP and TAZ expression. By analyzing the relationships between YAP, TAZ, and β-catenin expression and the clinicopathologic characteristics of patients with CSC, we found that YAP was related to the depth of invasion > 1/2, the diameter of the tumor > 4 cm, and positive lymph nodes; while TAZ and β-catenin were related to the depth of invasion > 1/2 and positive lymph nodes. Regarding the prognostic factors of patients with CSC, Kaplan-Meier univariate and Cox multivariate regression analysis showed that there were significant correlations between lymph node infiltration; expression of YAP, TAZ, and β-catenin; and patient mortality (P < 0.05), all of which were independent factors influencing mortality (OR > 1).