Mcl-1 expression is up-regulated in malignancies of the parotid gland

Dis Markers. 2011;30(5):229-33. doi: 10.3233/DMA-2011-0779.

Abstract

The anti-apoptotic protein Mcl-1 is highly expressed in various types of malignant tumors. Overexpression is reported to correlate with poor prognosis and disease progression. We report the expression levels of Mcl-1 in tumor samples of the parotid gland. A retrospective study containing 108 patients was performed. A tissue microarray of six malignancies of the parotid gland and pleomorphic adenoma as control was constructed. Parotid gland tumor samples were immunohistochemically stained for Mcl-1 and expression intensities were assessed. Statistical analysis included correlation to patients' clinical data and comparison of malignancies to the adenoma. All malignancies had significantly higher expression of Mcl-1 than the pleomorphic adenomas. The intensity, however, had no significant correlation to overall survival. Our immunohistochemical findings indicate that parotid gland malignancies produce high levels of Mcl-1 protein. Therefore, Mcl-1 might serve as a predictive co-marker in tumors of the parotid gland.

MeSH terms

  • Adenoma / metabolism
  • Adenoma / pathology
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism*
  • Biopsy
  • Carcinoma / metabolism
  • Carcinoma / pathology
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Data Interpretation, Statistical
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry / methods
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Myeloid Cell Leukemia Sequence 1 Protein
  • Parotid Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Parotid Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / metabolism*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Up-Regulation
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Myeloid Cell Leukemia Sequence 1 Protein
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2