Clinical values of Ku80 upregulation in superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract Ku80 is an important DNA repair protein. Here, this study sought to investigate clinical impacts of Ku80 expression for patients with superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Immunohistochemical analysis of Ku80 expression was carried out in normal esophageal mucosa, squamous epithelial dysplasia, carcinoma in situ, and superficial ESCC. Its relationships with clinicopathological features and survival of superficial ESCC patients were further clarified. Lentivirus‐mediated RNA interference was used to silence Ku80 gene in ECA109 and KYSE150 cells. Both quantitative real‐time PCR and Western blot were employed to evaluate Ku80 levels. CCK‐8 assay, clone formation assay, flow cytometry, and tumorigenesis experiment were performed to evaluate the malignant phenotype of ECA109 and KYSE150 cells. Increased Ku80 expression was observed in dysplastic esophageal mucosa and carcinoma in situ compared to normal esophageal mucosa (P < 0.001, P < 0.001). Ku80 expression was further increased in superficial ESCC in comparison with dysplastic esophageal mucosa and carcinoma in situ (P < 0.001, P = 0.034). In superficial ESCC, Ku80 overexpression was related to tumor differentiation (P = 0.017), T status (P = 0.011), nodal involvement (P = 0.005), TNM stage (P = 0.004), and postoperative recurrence (P = 0.008). Cox proportional hazards regression showed tumor differentiation, T status, nodal involvement, TNM stage, and Ku80 expression ...
Source: Cancer Medicine - Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Tags: Original Research Source Type: research