OBJECTIVETo evaluate the expression of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) p65 in relation to angiogenesis microvessel density (MVD) and clinical outcomes in adenoid cystic carcinoma of salivary glands (ACCs).

METHODSImmunohistochemical staining method was used to quantify the protein expression levels of NF-kappaB p65 in 80 surgically resected salivary gland ACC and normal salivary tissues. In all cases of ACCs, microvessel density was evaluated by counting any CD(34)-reactive endothelial cell or endothelial-cell cluster. The patients with ACCs were followed up from 1992 to 2002.

RESULTSNF-kappaB p65 was detected in the cytoplasm of normal and ACC cells, but was only in the nucleus of tumor cells; while there was no NF-kappaB p65 nuclear staining in all the controls. The mean value of MVD was (47.07 +/- 13.44), which had significant correlations with NF-kappaB p65 expression (P < 0.01). In three histological types of salivary gland ACC, the expressions of NF-kappaB and MVD were significantly higher in solid type than in cribriform type and tubular type (P < 0.01). NF-kappaB p65 expression and MVD were significantly correlated to clinical stage, tumor size, perineural and vascular invasion, recurrence and metastasis (P < 0.05), but there were no correlations between those three factors and patient age, gender and tumor site (P > 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed NF-kappaB (P < 0.05) expression, MVD (P < 0.01), histotypes (P < 0.01), and perineural invasion (P < 0.05) had an independent prognostic impact on overall survival.

CONCLUSIONSThe expression of NF-kappaB p65 was related to MVD, and the correlation between those two factors and clinico-pathological factors and prognosis of ACCs are significant.