Objective: To study the expressions of Cyclin D1 and p16 proteins in hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma and their clinical significance.
Method: Immunohistochemical technology (P-V) was applied to detect the expression of Cyclin D1 and p16 in 36 cases of hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma and 10 cases of normal epithelium.
Result: (1) The expression of cyclin D1 in the tumorous cell was significantly higher than that in normal epithelium (P < 0.05). The expression of p16 in the tumorous cell was significantly lower than that in normal epithelium (P < 0.05); (2) The positive rate of Cyclin D1 was significantly correlated with clinical stage and cervical lymph node metastases (P < 0.05). The positive rate of p16 was correlated with cervical lymph node metastases (P < 0.05). The positive rates of Cyclin D1 and p16 were not correlated with the gender, age, tumor size, primary lesion and cell differentiation (P > 0.05); (3) There was correlation between the expression of Cyclin D1 and the expression of p16 (r(s) = -0.420, P < 0.05).
Conclusion: The over-expression of Cyclin D1 and the under-expression of p16 may play a significant role in the occurrence incidence and development of hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma, and may be important indicators for cervical lymph node metastases.