Atypical Protein Kinase C λ/ι Expression Is Associated with Malignancy of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Background/Aim: Atypical protein kinase C lambda/iota (aPKC lambda/iota) is a cell polarity-regulator localized in the tight junction and apical membrane in epithelial cells. Previous studies suggested that aPKC lambda/iota overexpression and abnormal localization were involved in tumor progression in several cancers. We investigated the relationship between aPKC lambda/iota and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Materials and Methods: The correlation between the aPKC lambda/iota expression and the clinicopathological parameters in 76 OSCC cases was examined using immunohistochemical analyses. Results: aPKC lambda/iota overexpression was observed in 36.8% of cases. aPKC lambda/iota expression was more intense in poorly differentiated OSCC and younger patients (<60 years of age). Although expression of aPKC lambda/iota was not significantly associated with clinical parameters, the correlation was found between aPKC lambda/iota localization and progression free survival. Conclusion: This is the first study to assess the association of aPKC lambda/iota expression in OSCC with clinical results. Expression and localization of aPKC lambda/iota may be involved in the degree of malignancy in OSCC.