SOX2 overexpression correlates with poor prognosis in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract Objective The aim of present study was to investigate the expression of SOX2, a key transcription factor, in LSCC and to assess its prognostic significance. Methods SOX2 expression of 161 LSCC tissues was detected by immunohistochemistry using a tissue microarray and statistically analyzed for its correlation with clinicopathological charateristics and patient outcome. In addition, SOX2 expression was also observed in 20 self-paired fresh LSCC tissues by western blot. Results SOX2 was overexpressed in LSCC tissues as compared to the corresponding adjacent normal tissues. SOX2 expression was significantly associated with tumour T classification ( p < 0.001), clinical stage ( p < 0.001), lymph node metastasis ( p = 0.007) and recurrence ( p = 0.001). Univariate analysis revealed that patients with high SOX2 expression were significantly related to overall survival ( p < 0.001). Multivariate survival analysis further demonstrated that SOX2 expression was an independent prognostic factor for LSCC patients. Conclusion SOX2 may contribute to the malignant progression of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC), and present as a useful prognostic marker and a potential therapeutic target for LSCC patients.