Expression and phosphorylation of Stathmin 1 indicate poor survival in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and associate with immune suppression.

AIM: Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of Stathmin 1 and Serine 38 phospho-Stathmin 1 (p-Stathmin 1S38 ) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and research its correlation with clinical parameters, survival and expression of immune checkpoint molecules.

RESULTS: Stathmin 1 and p-Stathmin 1S38 overexpression in primary HNSCC is associated with poor overall survival. Stathmin 1 expression is related to tumor size, category and lymph node status. Stathmin 1 expression correlates with PD-L1, TIM3, VISTA, B7-H3, B7-H4, LAG-3 and p-STAT3 expression in HNSCC. P-Stathmin 1S38 expression correlates with PD-L1, VISTA, B7-H4, LAG-3 and p-STAT3 in HNSCC.

CONCLUSION: We found expression of Stathmin 1 and p-Stathmin 1S38 indicates poor survival in HNSCC and may be associated with immune suppression.