| Abstract: |
Background: The objective was to assess the expression patterns of the cancer testis antigen PRAME, NY-ESO1, and SSX2 in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSSC) and to correlate the expression with clinical and histopathological parameters including progression-free survival analysis. Methods: The study variables of this retrospective cohort study (n = 83) included demographic data, histopathological data, and information on progression-free survival. PRAME expression patterns were rated based on immunohistochemistry on tissue microarrays (TMA). The survival rate was assessed by Kaplan–Meier method and Cox regression model. The primary predictor variable was defined as the expression of PRAME and the outcome variable was progression-free survival. Results: Analysis of progression-free survival using Kaplan–Meier method showed that patients with positive expression of PRAME had lower probabilities of progression-free survival (p < 0.001). According to the Cox regression model, the level of PRAME expression had a considerable and significant independent influence on progression-free survival (positive PRAME expression increasing the hazards for a negative outcome by 285% in our sample; HR = 3.85, 95% CI: 1.45–10.2, p = 0.007). The expression of SSX2 (n = 1) and NY-ESO-1 (n = 5) in our samples was rare. Conclusion: PRAME is expressed in OSCC and appears to be a suitable marker of progression-free survival, correlates with severe course, and may allow identification of high-risk patients with aggressive progression. © 2022 The Authors. Journal of Oral Pathology & Medicine published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. |
