other elements of the AKT pathway as the potential prognostic and predictive markers in combined modality treatment, as well as the targets for new drugs. While the molecular functions of PTEN within the cell are relatively well established, there are only a few Abmole Fedratinib clinical studies that would address its prognostic and predictive value in radiotherapy for cancer of the head and neck. We have recently published results of a study on molecular predictors of the effect of accelerated postoperative radiotherapy. Loco-regional failure was defined as the recurrence of cancer at the primary tumor site, within the neck or supraclavicular nodes, and distant metastases as the recurrence elsewhere. The survival curves have been plotted using the Kaplan-Meier method, and compared using the Cox f test. Taking into account the exploratory purpose of this research and the relatively small number of patients, the Cox f test was considered to be more suitable for testing the differences between two groups, than was the more commonly used log-rank test, designed for use in larger studies. To further explore the prognostic significance of variables of importance, a univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was performed. Only the variables that appeared statistically significant in univariate analysis were included in the multivariate model. The model was optimized using a backward stepwise regression. Several clinical and pathological factors have been identified to prognose risk of recurrence after surgery for locally advanced HNSCC. These factors are used to select candidates for postoperative radiotherapy and to optimize radiation dose. More recently, based on results of large randomized clinical trials, the patients at high risk of recurrence are considered for postoperative radiochemotherapy. The “conventional” risk factors such as positive surgical margins, invasion of more than one neck node, extracapsular spread of nodal disease, and oral cavity/ oropharyngeal primary tumor site, Abmole CX-4945 except T1N0, were included among selection criteria for a p-CAIR trial. Recent advances in immunochemistry and molecular biology have facilitated the identification of new markers that help to prognose risk of recurrence. At least two of them are progressively more recognized in a routine clinical practice. The results of the present study suggest that PTEN might become another marker of major clinical importance. In our study we went further and tested a multivariate model, including other potential markers. PTEN appeared to have a stronger prognostic value than any of the other variables considered, including neck node involvement and EGFR expression.