BRAIN-DERIVED NEUROTORPHIC FACTOR EXPRESSION AS A PROGNOSIS MARKER IN SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA

Objectives To evaluate the association between the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and tyrosine kinase receptor B (TrkB) pathway with disease-specific survival, cell senescence, and "stemness" profile in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Study Design Specimens from 87 primary OSCC were arranged into tissue microarray (TMA) blocks. Immunohistochemical analysis for BDNF, TrkB, P-AKT, P-S6, BM1, and p16 were performed. The slides were scanned into high-resolution images using the Aperio Scanscope CS Slide Scanner and evaluated using software for digital analysis. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS software. Receiver operating curves were constructed to establish the cut-off values. Results All OSCC cases analyzed were positive for BDNF, TrkB, P-AKT, and pS6. Patients with high BDNF and high P-Akt expression presented, respectively, a 2.83-fold and 2.19-fold significantly higher chance of dying during the follow-up period. An increase in TrkB expression was directly correlated with increased cell senescence measured through p16. The stemness profile, accessed by BM1 expression, was inversely correlated with P-Akt and directly correlated with pS6. Conclusions The increased availability of BDNF influences OSCC prognosis presumably by activating downstream targets such as Akt. Moreover, this pathway seems to have an influence in cell senescence and "stemness" profile. FIPE/HCPA:160437.