High expression of the autophagy gene Beclin-1 is associated with favorable prognosis for salivary gland adenoid cystic carcinoma

J Oral Pathol Med. 2012 Sep;41(8):621-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0714.2012.01171.x. Epub 2012 Jun 19.

Abstract

Background: Although autophagy is universally involved in tumorigenesis and tumor progression, the roles of autophagy and autophagy-regulating genes in salivary gland adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) remain unknown. In this study, we investigated the expression of the autophagy-regulating genes Beclin-1, death-associated protein kinase-1, ultraviolet radiation resistance-associated gene, and phosphatase and tensin homolog in salivary gland ACC samples.

Methods: Immunohistochemistry and real-time polymerase chain reaction were used to analyze the expression of these genes in 89 ACC samples and normal salivary gland tissue samples. The relationship of their expression with clinicopathological features was analyzed.

Results: The data showed significantly lower expression of these genes in the tumor samples than in normal salivary gland tissue samples. Furthermore, Beclin-1 expression was significantly correlated with histological pattern of ACC (P<0.05), and high expression of ultraviolet radiation resistance-associated gene was associated with distant metastasis (P<0.05). Most importantly, univariate and multivariate survival analyses suggested that Beclin-1 protein and mRNA expression in cancer cells were independent prognostic indicators for ACC.

Conclusion: Our results suggest that autophagy-regulating genes may participate in the pathogenesis of salivary gland ACC. Further research will be required to gain a better understanding of autophagy in ACC.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / analysis*
  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / genetics
  • Autophagy / genetics*
  • Beclin-1
  • Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases / analysis
  • Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic / pathology*
  • Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic / secondary
  • Cell Nucleus / ultrastructure
  • Cytoplasm / ultrastructure
  • Death-Associated Protein Kinases
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / genetics
  • Genes, Tumor Suppressor*
  • Humans
  • Lymphatic Metastasis / pathology
  • Male
  • Membrane Proteins / analysis*
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / pathology
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • PTEN Phosphohydrolase / analysis
  • PTEN Phosphohydrolase / genetics
  • Parotid Neoplasms / genetics
  • Parotid Neoplasms / pathology
  • Prognosis
  • Salivary Ducts / pathology
  • Salivary Gland Neoplasms / genetics
  • Salivary Gland Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Salivary Glands, Minor / pathology
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / analysis
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / genetics

Substances

  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins
  • BECN1 protein, human
  • Beclin-1
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins
  • UVRAG protein, human
  • DAPK1 protein, human
  • Death-Associated Protein Kinases
  • Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases
  • PTEN Phosphohydrolase
  • PTEN protein, human