Frequent allelic loss of Dkk-1 locus (10q11.2) is related with low distant metastasis and better prognosis in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas.

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a frequently occurring cancer worldwide. Dickkopf (Dkk)-1 gene is suggested to function as tumor suppressor gene (TSG) in several kinds of malignancies. In this study, we performed loss of heterozygosity (LOH) analysis of Dkk-1 and examined the correlation between LOH status and clinicopathological parameters for the first time. A pretty high LOH ratio (50%) was detected. Interestingly, in the cases with Dkk-1 retention group showed less distant metastasis and a tendency of longer disease free survival. These results indicate that Dkk-1 can play a role in HNSCC carcinogenesis and it may also be related to distant metastasis.