Introduction and objectives: FAK expression is frequently elevated in human cancers, including head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. However, the regulation of FAK expression is poorly understood. The aim of this study is to establish the possible role of the p53 tumour suppressor gene in the regulation of FAK expression in squamous cell carcinomas of the larynx.
Material and method: The expression of FAK and p53 proteins were studied using immunohistochemistry in 102 samples from surgically-treated squamous cell carcinomas of the supraglottic larynx (with postoperative radiotherapy in 49 cases).
Results: All the cases showed some degree of FAK expression, which was moderate to intense in 60 cases (59 %). Also 60 cases showed positive p53 expression (>10 % of tumour cells with nuclear staining). No relationship was observed between p53 positivity and FAK expression (P= .54). In addition, none of these proteins presented association with the prognosis of the patients.
Conclusions: Our results suggests that p53 activity does not correlate with FAK expression in squamous cell carcinomas of the larynx.