Background: The 14-3-3 sigma gene is transcriptionally activated by p53 after DNA damage and facilitates DNA repair during G2 arrest. The present study analyzed the clinical significance of 14-3-3 sigma expression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.
Patients and methods: The relationship between 14-3-3 sigma and p53 expressions was investigated immunohistochemically in surgical specimens of primary tumors from 248 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.
Results: The positive expression rates of cytoplasmic and nuclear 14-3-3 sigma were 61.7% and 41.9%, respectively. There was no correlation between 14-3-3 sigma and p53 expression. Positive expression of nuclear 14-3-3 sigma was significantly correlated with depth of invasion, stage, lymphatic invasion, and poor prognosis. Multivariate analysis indicated that negative expression of nuclear 14-3-3 sigma was an independent prognostic factor.
Conclusion: Evaluation of the expression of nuclear 14-3-3 sigma proteins may be useful in predicting the outcome in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.