Exploring GPX4 protein expression in Oropharyngeal Carcinomas: Correlation with survival prognoses and potential clinical biomarker significance

Introduction Oxidative stress, an imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant defense mechanisms, impacts cancer development. Glutathione peroxidases (GPX) shield against oxidative damage, with GPX4 specifically reducing phospholipid hydroperoxides. Findings from other research groups indicate unfavorable survival prognoses with increased GPX4 expression in lung adenocarcinoma.

Materials and methods Our study explores the association between GPX4 protein expression and the survival prognosis of patients with oropharyngeal carcinomas (OPSCC) of the head and neck. Tumor microarrays (TMAs) containing samples from OPSCC patients treated at the University Hospitals of Gießen and Cologne between 2004 and 2020 are utilized. Immunohistochemical stainings with antibodies against GPX4 are performed on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue samples. The evaluation of protein expression is conducted by the Institute of Pathology at the University of Cologne, following the methodology of Liu et al. (doi:10.1038/s41598-022-25019-2). The data from the immunohistochemical analysis are then correlated with existing survival data.

Results The goal of our study is to better understand the relationship between GPX4 protein expression and the prognosis of patients with oropharyngeal carcinoma. The immunohistochemical analysis, facilitated by the use of TMAs and the subsequent correlation of expression patterns with patient survival data, aims to determine whether GPX4 could hold significance as a clinical biomarker.

Conclusion The insights contribute to deepening our understanding of the role of GPX4 and oxidative stress in the context of head and neck cancer, potentially paving the way for new diagnostic and treatment approaches.

 

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Artikel online veröffentlicht:
19. April 2024