Mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein is a prognostic biomarker for cervical squamous cell cancer

Background: The mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL) has recently been identified as a key RIP3 (receptor interacting protein 3) downstream component of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-induced necroptosis. Objective: To evaluate the expression and clinical significance of MLKL in cervical squamous cell carcinoma.Methods: The expression of MLKL in 54 cervical squamous carcinoma samples was detected by immuneohistochemical method. Chi-square, correlation analysis and kaplan-Meier method were used to analyze the data. Results: The MLKL expression in cervical squamous cell carcinoma was higher than that in normal cervical tissues (P = 0.004). The MLKL expression was negatively correlated with histological grade, lymphatic metastasis (P<0.05). Survival analysis showed the low expression of MLKL indicated poor prognosis. Conclusion: MLKL was a prognostic biomarker for cervical squamous cell carcinoma.