Expression of AKR1B10 as an independent marker for poor prognosis in human oral squamous cell carcinoma

Background Aldo-keto reductase family 1 member B10 (AKR1B10) is implicated in xenobiotic detoxification and has disparate functions in tumorigenesis that are dependent on the cell types. The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinicopathological significance of AKR1B10 as a prognostic marker for oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs). Methods AKR1B10 protein expression was analyzed by immunohistochemistry in 77 patients with OSCC. Results The AKR1B10 labeling score for OSCCs (1.16 ± 1.14) was significantly higher than that for normal oral mucosa (0.10 ± 0.23; p 1.16 (hazard ratio, 3.647; p = .001) significantly correlated with mortality. Conclusion AKR1B10 overexpression is an independent poor prognostic biomarker for OSCC. AKR1B10 inhibitors may be promising in clinical trials against OSCC. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2017