Background/Aim: To investigate the impact PDZ-binding kinase (PBK) on the clinical outcome of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) who received radiotherapy. Patients and Methods: PBK immunoreactivity of cancer specimens obtained from 179 patients with primary OSCC was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Results: High PBK expression in tumor cells tended to be associated with advanced N-stage. The 5-year survival rate was greater for patients with high total PBK expression than in those with low PBK expression. After adjustment, high PBK remained associated with a favorable outcome. In subgroups according to tumor stage, the prognostic role was significant in patients with stage III/IV rather than those with stage I/II disease. Conclusion: We suggest that PBK expression should be used as an independent prognostic marker for patients with OSCC treated with radiotherapy, especially for those with advanced-stage disease.
