The subcellular localization of YAP1 and its relationship with survival in squamous cell cancer of the head and neck

Abstract

Introduction: The Hippo signaling pathway and its protein YAP participate in the progression of multiple types of cancer, including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), with greater evidence for oral cavity involvement. Therefore, it is necessary to understand whether their effect is dependent or independent of the primary tumor’s location. Objective: To evaluate the role of the Hippo pathway in the survival of patients with HNSCC through the protein YAP1 and compare it with ALDH1 as a marker of tumor stem cells. Material and Method: Retrospective study of clinical records and biopsies from patients with HNSCC. Samples of primary tumors were immunohistochemically stained with anti-YAP1 and anti-ALDH1A1 antibodies and blindly evaluated by a pathologist. Overall survival according to location and stage was analyzed using the Log-rank test, while the correlation between markers was analyzed using the Phi and Cramer’s V tests. Results: In a cohort of 57 patients, nuclear localization of YAP1 was associated with a significant decrease in survival in nasal cavity/paranasal sinus tumors and oral cavity tumors, while ALDH1A1 levels correlated with decreased survival only in the oral cavity. There was no correlation between the nuclear localization of YAP1 and the expression of ALDH1A1. Conclusion: Nuclear localization of YAP1 is associated with decreased survival in HNSCC of the oral cavity and nasal cavity/paranasal sinuses, without correlation with the expression of ALDH1A1.