Expression of FOXC2, PinX1, Ki-67 and Cyclin D1 in cutaneous cell carcinoma.

We investigated the expression of FOXC2, PinX1, Ki-67 and Cyclin D1 in cutaneous cell carcinoma. We collected 30 cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), 30 cutaneous basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and 30 normal skin tissues. The protein expression and gene expression of FOXC2, endogenous telomerase-inhibiting gene PinX1, Ki-67 and Cyclin D1 was measured by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), respectively. In SCC and BCC tissues, the positive rate of protein expression and mRNA level of PinX1 were both significantly lower than those in normal tissues. However, the positive rate of protein expression and mRNA level of FOXC2, Ki-67 and Cyclin D1 were significantly higher than those in normal tissues (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between SCC and BCC (p>0.05). In conclusion, FOXC2 may participate in the carcinogenesis process of SCC and BCC. It may also correlate with the expression PinX, Ki-67 and Cyclin D1. However, FOXC2 alone cannot be used as a diagnostic indicator of SCC.