Expression of alpha-dystroglycan correlates with tumour grade and predicts survival in oral squamous cell carcinoma

SummaryAimsDystroglycan (DG) is a non-integrin adhesion molecule connecting the extracellular matrix to the actin cytoskeleton. Decreased expression of DG has been reported in several human cancers and related to tumour aggressiveness.MethodsExpression of the α-DG subunit was evaluated by immunostaining in a series of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and its relation with traditional prognostic indicators and with the clinical outcome of the patients was evaluated.Resultsα-DG expression was easily detected in normal epithelium with a mean percentage of positive cells >80% but was undetectable in a significant fraction (59%) of OSCC. Loss of α-DG staining correlated with higher tumour grade (p = 0.04) and stage (p = 0.01), with nodal involvement (p = 0.001) and with an increased risk of recurrence (p = 0.002) and death (p = 0.004) in a univariate analysis, but it was not confirmed as an independent predictor of clinical outcome in a multivariate analysis.ConclusionsLoss of α-DG expression, which corresponds to loss of a functional DG complex, is a frequent event in human OSCC. Further studies are warranted on the role of this molecule in the entire multistep process of oral squamous tumorigenesis.