Prognostic Role of SOX2 and KLF4 in Oral SCC

Basal differentiation in oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is typically identified at invasive sites, yet its prognostic value remains underexplored.

Kazuhiro Murakami and the team aimed to investigate the significance of basal differentiation as a prognostic indicator in oral SCC.

They performed an inclusive analysis by subclassifying 65 cases of oral SCC into COL17-high (30 cases) and -low (35 cases) types. Prognostic value was assessed using Cox regression analysis. Additionally, immunohistochemical analysis included stem cell markers such as SOX2, KLF4, MYC, and stem cell-related markers BMI1, EZH2, YAP, and TAZ, investigating their prognostic significance in relation to COL17 status.

About disease-specific survival and recurrence-free survival (RFS) in oral SCC, no significant difference was observed between the COL17-high and -low groups. Combining the COL17-high and -low categories with SOX2, KLF4, EZH2, or YAP/TAZ status in basal layers, alongside gender and age as covariates, resulted in hazard ratios of 3.3, 3.7, 2.8, and 3.1, respectively. Multivariate analysis, including COL17, SOX2, and KLF4, with gender and age as covariates, indicated a significantly poorer prognosis for disease-specific survival.

The study concluded that basal differentiation and the expression status of SOX2 and KLF4 in basal layers are significant prognostic factors for oral SCC, as indicated by their relatively high hazard ratios.

No funding information was given.

Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38659289/

Murakami K, Kamiakito T, Kawata H, et al. (2024). “Basal differentiation and expression status of SOX2 and KLF4 in basal layers are prognostic factors for disease-specific survival in oral squamous cell carcinoma.” J Oral Pathol Med. 2024 May;53(5):303-309. doi: 10.1111/jop.13535. Epub 2024 Apr 24. PMID: 38659289.