BUBR1 expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma and its relationship to tumor stage and survival

Head Neck. 2011 May;33(5):727-33. doi: 10.1002/hed.21532. Epub 2010 Nov 10.

Abstract

Background: Defects in the mitotic spindle checkpoint have been proposed to contribute to the chromosomal instability observed in human cancers, including oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). BUBR1 is a key component of the spindle checkpoint, whose role in oral carcinogenesis still needs to be clarified.

Methods: We have analyzed the expression of BUBR1 in 49 cases of OSCC by immunohistochemistry and compared the findings with clinicopathologic parameters, proliferative activity, and DNA ploidy.

Results: BUBR1 was overexpressed in 11 cases (22.4%). Tumors with overexpression of BUBR1 were associated with a less advanced pathologic stage (p = .05) and showed longer survival periods (p = .38) but shorter recurrence-free survival periods (p = .13) than those without it.

Conclusions: Our data imply the possibility that BUBR1 may be involved in the progression of OSCC, and suggest that BUBR1 may be a promising prognostic marker in patients with OSCC.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Aneuploidy
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / metabolism*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / mortality
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / pathology
  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mouth Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Mouth Neoplasms / mortality
  • Mouth Neoplasms / pathology
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / genetics
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism*

Substances

  • BUB1 protein, human
  • Bub1 spindle checkpoint protein
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases