Introduction:
HNSCC represent a heterogeneous entity with regard to localization, outcome and biology.
Especially for locally advanced HPV-negative tumors there is still a great need to
improve cure rates. So far the HPV-status in OPSCC is the only generally accepted
prognostic biomarker and no predictive markers have been established. In a comparison
of 39 potential markers, Moeller et al. identified the expression level of the central
DNA repair protein KU80 as a strong predictor of overall survival in HPV-negative
HNSCC treated by primary radiotherapy (Clin Cancer Res. 2011 Apr 1;17(7):2035 – 43).
So far, these data have not been recapitulated. In the present study we have analyzed
the expression of KU80 in an HNSCC tissue micro array (TMA) largely composed of tumors
treated with surgery and adjuvant (chemo)radiation.
Methods:
A tissue micro array, containing 553 HNSCC samples, was stained for KU80. The immunohistological
staining of the tissue samples was scored as negative, weak, moderate or strong by
an established algorithm based on staining intensity (0, 1, 2, 3) and the percentage
of tumor cells stained.
Results:
In our analyses KU80 expression was not associated with UICC, T or N stage. High expression
levels of KU80 is a common feature in HNSCC as 78.4% of tumors in our cohort were
scored “strong” whereas only 10.6% of tumors were scored “negative” or “weak”. With
regard to survival, we did not observe any statistically significant differences or
trends that would suggest a prognostic role of high or low KU80 expression levels
in our cohort, neither in early nor in locally advanced stage tumors and irrespective
of HPV-status.
Conclusions:
Strong KU80 expression is common in HNSCC but our analyses do not support a role for
KU80 expression as a prognostic biomarker.
