The Expression Of PCDH8 And Prognostic Value In Hypopharyngeal Carcinoma

ObjectiveTo investigate the expression of PCDH8 and its clinicopathological significance in hypopharyngeal carcinoma,and to observe the influence factor and prognostic value of PCDH8 expression.MethodsA total of 80 pairs of hypopharyngeal carcinoma tumor tissues and non-tumor tissues were investigated to examine the immunohistochemical expression of PCDH8.Prognostic value and clinicopathological significance of PCDH8 expression were examined by Kaplan-Meier&log-rank test and Cox's ones.10 pairs of tumor tissues and non-tumor tissues were analyzed by RT-PCR and 4 pairs by Western blot respectively.Promoter methylation of PCDH8 was observed in 14 pairs of tumor tissues and non-tumor tissues by methylation-specific PCR(MSP).ResultsThe expression of PCDH8 in tumor tissues was depressed immunohistochemically when compared with non-tumor tissues and was significantly lower in the advanced pathological stage.Meanwhile,the expression of PCDH8 served as an independent prognostic risk factor for overall survival of hypopharyngeal carcinoma.The mRNA and protein levels of PCDH8 in tumor tissues was also down-regulated than in non-tumor tissues.Moreover,aberrant promoter methylation of PCDH8 occurred frequently in tumor tissues,rather than in non-tumor tissues.ConclusionThe down-regulated expression of PCDH8 in hypopharyngeal carcinoma may relate to its epigenetic inactivation by promoter methylation,and demonstrates the tumor-suppressive function of PCDH8 in hypopharyngeal carcinoma.It suggests that PCDH8 may serve as a useful prognostic biomarker and a potential therapeutic target for hypopharyngeal carcinoma patients.