Abstract: Abstract Objective:To investigate the expression of AKT and ERK1/2 protein in hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma and normal hypopharyngeal mucosa, and their relationship with clinical and pathological characters. Methods:The expression of AKT and ERK1/2 protein in 60 patients with hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma, 15 cases of normal hypopharyngeal mucosa were examined by immunohistochemical S-P technique. At the same time, relationship between AKT and ERK1/2 in hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma was explored. Results:The Positive rate of the expression of AKT and ERK1/2 in 60 cases of hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma is 78.3%(47/60) and 66.7%(40/60),the rate in 15 cases of normal hypopharyngeal mucosa is 13.3%(2/15) and 6.7%(1/15). There were significant differences among the expression of AKT and ERK1/2 in hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma and normal hypopharyngeal mucosa. The expression of AKT in hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma group was higher than that in normal groups (P＜0.05). The expression of ERK1/2 in hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma group was higher than that in normal groups (P＜0.01). There was a positive correlation between the expression of AKT, ERK1/2 and the degrees of differentiation, clinical stage and pelvic lymph node metastasis, but not correlated with gender and age. Conclusion:The activation of AKT protein and ERK1/2 protein were correlated with carcinogenesis，progression，invasion and metastasis of IHSCC, The expression level of AKT and ERK1/2 have obvious positive relationship(r=0.400,P＜0.05), suggesting that there is synergistic effect between them.

Key words: IHSCC, AKT, ERK1/2, Immunohistochemistry