Bcl-xL protein: Predictor of complete tumor response in patients with oral cancer treated with curative radiotherapy

Sanchita Mallick, Jaiprakash Agarwal, Sadhana Kannan, Sagar Pawar, Shubhada Kane, Tanuja Teni

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: We earlier observed altered expression of p53 and Bcl-xL in oral cancer cell lines/tissues and wanted to evaluate these proteins for prediction of radiotherapy response and outcome. Methods: Thirty-nine paraffin-embedded, pretreatment oral cancer biopsies were analyzed for protein expression using immunohistochemistry and correlated with tumor response to radiotherapy and disease-free survival (DFS). Result: High p53 (p =.040) was observed in female versus male patients. Increased p53 intensity (p =.063) was observed in tobacco habitués (chewers ± smokers) versus patients with no habits. In univariate analysis, nodal positivity (p =.044) and favorable/complete tumor response (p =.002) exhibited a significant correlation with DFS, whereas tumor response emerged as an independent predictor of DFS in multivariate analysis. Significantly high Bcl-xL (p =.048) was observed in the unfavorable versus favorable responders. Conclusion: Our study suggests that Bcl-xL expression along with clinical parameters may be useful for identifying patients with oral cancer likely to draw maximum benefit from curative radiotherapy.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1448-1453
Number of pages6
JournalHead and Neck
Volume35
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2013
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Bcl-xL
  • Oral cancer
  • p53
  • radiotherapy
  • tumor response

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Otorhinolaryngology

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