High CDC20 expression is associated with poor prognosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma

• Published in: Journal of oral pathology & medicine 2014-03, Vol.43 (3), p.225-231
• Main Authors: Moura, Inês M. B., Delgado, Maria L., Silva, Patrícia M. A., Lopes, Carlos A., do Amaral, José B., Monteiro, Luís S., Bousbaa, Hassan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anaphase-Promoting Complex-Cyclosome - metabolism; Biological and medical sciences; Biomarkers, Tumor - analysis; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - chemistry; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - pathology; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - secondary; CDC20 expression; Cdc20 Proteins - analysis; Cyclin B1 - metabolism; Dentistry; Disease-Free Survival; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Lymphatic Metastasis - pathology; M Phase Cell Cycle Checkpoints - physiology; Male; Medical sciences; Microarray Analysis; Middle Aged; Mouth Neoplasms - chemistry; Mouth Neoplasms - pathology; Multiple tumors. Solid tumors. Tumors in childhood (general aspects); Neoplasm Grading; Neoplasm Invasiveness; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local - pathology; Neoplasm Staging; oral cavity cancer; Otorhinolaryngology. Stomatology; Prognosis; prognostic marker; Retrospective Studies; Securin - metabolism; spindle assembly checkpoint; Survival Rate; Tumors; Upper respiratory tract, upper alimentary tract, paranasal sinuses, salivary glands: diseases, semeiology
• ISSN: 0904-2512; 1600-0714
• DOI: 10.1111/jop.12115

Objectives Human Cell Division Cycle 20 (CDC20) homolog is a crucial target of the spindle assembly checkpoint. It is an activator of the Anaphase‐Promoting Complex/Cyclosome (APC/C) which promotes anaphase onset and mitotic exit through the ubiquitination of securin and cyclin B1. Overexpression of CDC20 was previously reported in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Here, we propose to explore the clinicopathological significance of CDC20 overexpression and its potential use as a prognostic marker in OSCC. Methods Using tissue microarray technology, we analyzed CDC20 expression in 65 primary OSCC tissues by immunohistochemistry. Statistical analysis was performed to evaluate the clinicopathological and prognostic significance of CDC20 expression in OSCC. Results Of the 65 cases of patients with OSCC studied, 37 (56.9%) showed high CDC20 protein expression. No clinicopathological features were correlated with CDC20 expression. Importantly, in univariable analysis, OSCC patients with higher CDC20 protein expression showed significantly shorter cancer‐specific survival rate (P = 0.018). Multivariable analysis identified high CDC20 expression as an independent prognostic factor (P = 0.032). Conclusion High CDC20 expression is associated with poor prognosis in OSCC and may be used to identify high‐risk OSCC patients and may serve as a therapeutic target.