Original scientific paper

https://doi.org/10.20471/acc.2025.64.02.08

Is there a Prognostic Role of Focal Adhesion Kinase and CD8 in Squamous Cell Head and Neck Cancer Treated with Radiotherapy?

Vesna Bišof orcid.org/0000-0002-2826-9664 ; Department of Oncology, Zagreb University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia; School of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia; School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia *
Antonija Jakovčević ; School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia; Department of Pathology and Cytology, Zagreb University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia
Anita Škrtić orcid.org/0000-0002-9275-7283 ; School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia; Department of Pathology and Cytology, Merkur University Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia
Zoran Rakušić orcid.org/0000-0002-5148-336X ; Department of Oncology, Zagreb University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia; School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Drago Prgomet ; School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia; Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Zagreb University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia
Ivica Rak ; School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia; Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Merkur University Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia

* Corresponding author.

Abstract

The prevalence of relapses in advanced squamous cell head and neck cancer (SCHNC)
is significant, and so is treatment morbidity. There is persistent need for reliable biomarkers in order to
better personalize treatment. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate prognostic significance of
focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and CD8 expression in human papillomavirus (HPV) negative SCHNC
treated with radiotherapy. FAK and CD8 expression was evaluated by immunohistochemical staining.
A total of 62 tissue samples were assessed. High expression of FAK was determined in 37.1% and high
expression of CD8 in 25.8% of study patients. Patients with high expression of FAK had significantly
more relapses than patients with low FAK expression (p=0.04). FAK and CD8 expression had no significant
impact on overall survival (OS) (p=0.44 and p=0.48, respectively) and relapse free survival (RFS)
(p=0.21 and p=0.31, respectively). However, patients with high expression of FAK and low expression of
CD8 had the worst 5-year OS (38.7%) and 5-year RFS (44.3%). Patients with low expression of FAK
had significantly less relapses. The prognostic role of FAK and CD8 expression in SCHNC patients
treated with radiotherapy was not proven.

Keywords

Head and neck carcinoma; Focal adhesion kinase; CD8; Biomarker; Radiotherapy

Hrčak ID:

337586

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/337586

Publication date:

30.6.2025.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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