Dual Sec62/Ki67 immunostaining using liquid-based cytology specimens of oral/pharyngeal mucosal lesions – diagnostic validity and prognostic relevance

Introduction  Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) are frequently diagnosed in advanced stages with negative consequences for patient prognosis and therapy options. To date, there exist no established screening strategies. It was the aim of this study to evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic value of a dual immunocytochemical Sec62/Ki67 staining based on non-invasive liquid-based cytology (LBC) of mucosal lesions in this cancer entity.

Methods In total, LBC-based cytology specimens from 128 patients (105 HNSCC, 23 controls) were analyzed by PAP staining (morphology) and dual Sec62/Ki67 immunocytology. Dual positivity for Sec62 and Ki67 was correlated with the patients’ clinical data and evaluated for its applicability as diagnostic and prognostic biomarker.

Results LBC-based detection of dual Sec62/Ki67 positivity showed a sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 95.7%, positive predictive value of 99.1%, and a negative predictive value of 100% with a trend towards higher Sec62 Expression in lymph node positive and de-differentiated tumors. Sec62 expression showed no correlation with the patients’ overall and disease-specific survival.

Discussion Immunocytochemical detection of dual Sec62/Ki67 positivity in lesional cells of LBC-based oral resp. pharyngeal mucosa swabs shows a high validity as diagnostic biomarker for detecting HNSCC and additionally allows first hints towards cancer biology. However, LBC-based detection of Sec62 expression gives no relevant information on patient prognosis.

Publication History

Article published online:
12 May 2023