Clinical significance of apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Objectives. To assess apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain (ASC) expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and analyze its clinical and pathological significance. Study design. ASC expression was studied using immunohistochemistry in 119 OSCCs patients. The relationships between ASC expression and clinical and pathological parameters were statistically analyzed. In addition, the relationships between ASC expression and cell differentiation [IVL (involcrin) expression] and apoptosis (TUNEL [TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling] positive cell number) were investigated. Results. ASC expression showed significant correlations with parameters including clinical tumor stage, mode of invasion, and histological differentiation, and had a significant impact on survival of OSCC. The distribution of ASC correlated well with that of IVL. ASC expression was significantly correlated with the TUNEL-positive cell number. Conclusions. Lower ASC expression correlates with clinical and pathological malignancy and, consequently, poor prognosis of OSCC. ASC has a close association with cell differentiation and apoptosis.