Combination of IMP3 and PCNA Expression in Diagnosis of Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Background: Laryngeal carcinoma is one of the most common head and neck cancer worldwide. It has a high mortality rate and poor prognosis. Insulin-like growth factor II m-RNA-binding protein 3 (IMP3) is one of IMP family members which plays an important role in cell growth and migration during embryogenesis and has a role in carcinogenesis. Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA) is a nuclear protein that is considered as a cell proliferation marker and has an important role in DNA duplication. Aim of the work: This study aimed to evaluate IMP3 and PCNA expression in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC), carcinoma in situ (CIS) and hyperplastic lesions. Patients and methods: Fifty cases of LSCC plus 8 cases of CIS and 9 cases of hyperplastic lesions were stained with IMP3 and PCNA and its immunoexpression results were statistically evaluated. Results: There is a significant positive correlation between IMP3 and PCNA expression in LSCC (p < 0.001 and r= 0.860) which indicates that IMP3 synchronously acts with PCNA to promote uncontrolled cell growth and proliferation. Conclusions: Combined use of IMP3 and PCNA increases the sensitivity and specificity of diagnosis of LSCC.Key words: Immunohistochemical expression IMP3, PCNA, laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.