The alteration of Id-1 and TSP-1 expression in mucoepidermoid carcinoma associated with its clinical features and prognosis

Expression of Id-1 (inhibitors of DNA binding/differentiation protein 1) and TSP-1 (thrombospondin-1) in mucoepidermoid carcinoma and their relationship to pathological features and prognosis was studied. Moderately and poorly differentiated groups had significantly higher Id-1 positive expression rate (p < 0.05) than well differentiated carcinoma. Stages III-IV showed significant increase of Id-1 positive expression rate (p < 0.05) compared with stages I and II. Id-1 positive expression was significantly higher in patients with cervical lymph node metastasis or relapse at 5 years (p < 0.05). After that, patients with negative Id-1 expression had significantly higher tumor-free survival than patients with positive expression (p < 0.05). Correlation between the expression of Id-1 and TSP-1 in mucoepidermoid carcinoma was negative (p < 0.05). Poorly differentiated groups show significantly lower TSP-1 positive expression rate than well differentiated groups (p < 0.05). No significant differences of TSP-1 positive expression were detected with clinical stage. TSP-1 positive expression was significantly lower in patients with cervical lymph node metastasis or relapse at 5 years (p < 0.05). After 5 years, patients with positive TSP-1 expression had significantly higher tumor-free survival than patients with negative TSP-1. Positive Id-1 expression is associated with high malignancy/poor prognosis; positive TSP-1 expression is associated with low malignancy/good prognosis. Protein expression status may help assess tumor malignancy and patient prognosis.