The role of autophagy in salivary gland tumorigenesis

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Associate professor of Oral and Dental Pathology. Faculty of Dental Medicine for Girls, Al Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt.

2 Lecturer of Oral and Dental Biology. Faculty of Dental Medicine for Girls, Al Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt.

3 Lecturer of Oral and Dental Pathology. Faculty of Dental Medicine for Girls, Al Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt

Abstract

Salivary gland tumors are a diverse group of tumors that exhibit a wide range of biologic characteristics, from entirely benign tumors to high-grade cancers. Also, because of the substantial morphologic overlap that is present in salivary gland tumors, it is frequently not possible to make a firm diagnosis without examining the entire tumor. In a number of human disorders, including cancer, autophagy is crucial in the control of signaling pathways that lead to survival and death. In the development of cancer, autophagy has two faces. Activation of autophagy works as a tumor suppressor by destroying damaged organelles and other cellular components. While cancer cells may use this system as a pro-survival strategy to produce nutrients and energy during periods of starvation, hypoxia, and stress induced by chemotherapy. The objective of the current study was to assess Beclin 1's potential as a prognostic marker of salivary gland tumorigenesis. Material and methods: Five cases of normal salivary gland tissues, fifteen cases of pleomorphic adenoma and fifteen cases of adenoid cystic carcinoma (five cases of cribriform, five cases of tubular form and five cases of solid form). Immunohistochemical staining with Beclin 1 antibody was done for all specimens. Results: Normal salivary gland tissue showed the highest mean area percent of immunoexpression, whereas ACC showed the lowest value. Conclusion: Beclin 1 is involved in the tumorigenesis of salivary gland; in addition decrease in autophagic capacity associated with poor prognosis.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Egyptian Dental Journal
Volume 70, Issue 1 - Serial Number 3
January (Oral Medicine, X-Ray, Oral Biology & Oral Pathology)
January 2024
Pages 129-137

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics