OBJECTIVETo study the expression of S phase kinase associated protein 2 (Skp2), phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten (PTEN) in human laryngeal carcinoma and precancerous lesions, to explore their relations and clinical significance.

METHODSFormalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissues from 79 cases of laryngeal carcinoma, 16 cases of atypical hyperplasia of vocal fold,14 cases of adult laryngeal papillomas and 27 cases of vocal cord polyps were evaluated for the expression of Skp2, PTEN by SP immunohistochemistry, the levels of these proteins in tissues with the different types of lesion and their correlation with clinicopathological parameters of laryngeal carcinoma were analyzed.

RESULTSThe expression rates of Skp2 in vocal cord polyps, adult laryngeal papillomas, atypical hyperplasia of vocal cord and laryngeal carcinoma were 11. 11% ,14. 29% ,37. 50% ,39. 24% respectively. There was significant difference among them( Hc = 11. 57, P <0. 01). The expression rates of PTEN protein in vocal cord polyps,adult laryngeal papillomas, atypical hyperplasia of vocal cord and laryngeal carcinoma were 100% ,92. 86% ,75. 00%, 56. 96% respectively . There was significant difference among them (Hc = 62. 86, P<0. 05). There was a negative correlation between the expression of Skp2 and PTEN,and their correlation coefficient was r = -0. 4512(P <0. 01). Patients with Skp2 expression in laryngeal carcinoma revealed poorer five yeas survival rate than patients with negative expression of Skp2 (x2 = 21. 46, P = 0. 000).

CONCLUSIONSThe expression of Skp2 and PTEN took important roles in the tumorigenesis, aggressiveness, metastases of laryngeal carcinoma. The high expression of Skp2 was negative correlation with the lower PTEN in laryngeal carcinoma, which suggested that PTEN may regulate the expression of Skp2.