EVALUATION OF MIR-181 FAMILY MEMBERS IN ORAL CANCER

Abstract

Oral cancer is the seventh most frequent type of cancer in the Brazilian population, with high invasiveness, metastasis rates, and recurrence. The main risk factors involved are tobacco consumption, alcoholism, and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most frequent histologic type. Studies report miR-181 as an important biomarker for the prognosis and survival during glioblastoma multiforme pathogenesis. However, there is no evaluation of their expression in the OSCC, nor their relation with clinical-pathologic data. Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate miR-181 family members’ expression in patients with OSCC. Study Design: The expression of miR-181 a/b/c in 20 OSCC and 20 healthy oral mucosa samples was evaluated by quantitative PCR (qPCR). Results: Downregulation of miR-181 a and miR-181 c were observed in 30% and 35% of the samples, respectively. Overexpression of miR-181 b was present in 41% of the cases. A tendency between alcoholism and underexpression of miR-181 c was observed. Conclusions: There is a probable relation between a member of the miR-181 family and an etiologic factor associated with OSCC. However, new studies with a larger number of patients are required to determine the importance of these biomarkers on oral carcinogenesis. Oral cancer is the seventh most frequent type of cancer in the Brazilian population, with high invasiveness, metastasis rates, and recurrence. The main risk factors involved are tobacco consumption, alcoholism, and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most frequent histologic type. Studies report miR-181 as an important biomarker for the prognosis and survival during glioblastoma multiforme pathogenesis. However, there is no evaluation of their expression in the OSCC, nor their relation with clinical-pathologic data. Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate miR-181 family members’ expression in patients with OSCC. Study Design: The expression of miR-181 a/b/c in 20 OSCC and 20 healthy oral mucosa samples was evaluated by quantitative PCR (qPCR). Results: Downregulation of miR-181 a and miR-181 c were observed in 30% and 35% of the samples, respectively. Overexpression of miR-181 b was present in 41% of the cases. A tendency between alcoholism and underexpression of miR-181 c was observed. Conclusions: There is a probable relation between a member of the miR-181 family and an etiologic factor associated with OSCC. However, new studies with a larger number of patients are required to determine the importance of these biomarkers on oral carcinogenesis.