Focal adhesion kinases in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) phosphorylation contributes to the regulation of growth factors that promote cellular adhesion, mobility, and survival, being a key factor in tumor development. The objective of this study was to evaluate the immunohistochemical expression patterns of FAK and its phosphorylated forms, FAK Tyr-576 and FAK Tyr-925, in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and non-neoplastic adjacent epithelial tissue (AE).

METHODS: The percentage of immunohistochemistry stained cells and its correlation with clinicopathological variables and prognosis were determined using samples from 54 patients.

RESULTS: FAK, FAK Tyr-576, and FAK Tyr-925 overexpression was observed in tumor zones and AE. FAK Tyr-576 immunostaining showed a relationship with tumor clinicopathological parameters. Moreover, positive immunostaining of FAK Tyr-576 in AEsue was associated with patients prognoses.

CONCLUSIONS: Increased expression of FAK Tyr-576 could enable identification of tumors with a more aggressive behavior and epithelial alterations before the appearance of clinical or histological manifestations.