CIAP-2 Expression Increases in Elderly Patients with Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck

Background: Evidence indicates apoptosis deregulation is associated with aging. We correlated expression of cIAP-2, a member of the inhibitor of apoptosis protein family, with survival and age in patients with resected squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck (SCCHN). Methods: Immunohistochemical (IHC) staining for cIAP-2 and other markers were performed using tissue microarrays from 103 resected SCCHN patients. Expression was grouped according to IHC scores (0-3) and statistical association with clinical-pathological factors was determined. Results: High expression of cIAP-2 was found to be increased in patients aged 60 or greater. High expression of cIAP-2 and an age ≥60 were significantly associated with worse survival in univariate analysis, but only an age ≥60, and not cIAP-2 expression, was prognostic in multivariate analysis. Conclusion: High expression of cIAP-2 was found more frequently in elderly SCCHN patients but was not independently associated with survival after adjusting other clinical-pathologic factors.