SGK3 overexpression correlates with a poor prognosis in endoscopically resected superficial esophageal squamous cell neoplasia:A long-term study

BACKGROUND The expression status of serum and glucocorticoid-induced protein kinase 3(SGK3)in superficial esophageal squamous cell neoplasia(ESCN)remains unknown.AIM To evaluate the SGK3 overexpression rate in ESCN and its influence on the prognosis and outcomes of patients with endoscopic resection.METHODS A total of 92 patients who had undergone endoscopic resection for ESCN with more than 8 years of follow-up were enrolled.Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate SGK3 expression.RESULTS SGK3 was overexpressed in 55(59.8%)patients with ESCN.SGK3 overexpression showed a significant correlation with death(P=0.031).Overall survival and disease-free survival rates were higher in the normal SGK3 expression group than in the SGK3 overexpression group(P=0.013 and P=0.004,respectively).Cox regression analysis models demonstrated that SGK3 overexpression was an independent predictor of poor prognosis in ESCN patients(hazard ratio 4.729;95% confidence interval:1.042-21.458).CONCLUSION SGK3 overexpression was detected in the majority of patients with endoscopically resected ESCN and was significantly associated with shortened survival.Thus,it might be a new prognostic factor for ESCN.