Genetic Biomarkers in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Abstract

Objectives: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is known as one of the 6 most common human cancers mainly caused by consumption of tobacco and alcohol. There is also a genetic factor; however, the genetic markers are not yet established. Our objectives were to (1) validate the genetic signature of molecular targets expressed by tumors in HNSCC and (2) determine potential biomarkers for earlier detection, potential therapies, and prediction of patients’ survival. Methods: The HNSCC patients were recruited to the study in the Greater Poland Cancer Centre in 2010. Oral cancer and normal epithelium tissue taken at a minimum of 2 cm distal from the tumors’ margins from 41 patients were used for analysis by Cancer Pathway Finder array and followed with real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: Analysis indicated up-regulation of 11 genes including KRT14, ACLY, MCM2, SKP2, STMN1, CDC20, SNAI2, MKI67, SLC2A1, BCL2L11, and IGFBP3 ( P < .05), suggesting altered regulation of cell cycle, cell senescence, metabolism, apoptosis, and hypoxia. Interestingly, 3-year patient follow-up survival analysis indicated that skp2, cdh2, vegfc, and bcl2l11 genes expression was significantly associated with survival of the patients. Conclusions: Our data indicate that there is significant activation of several cellular pathways in tumor tissue that should be further investigated. Importantly, observed significant association between the expression of skp2, cdh2, vegfc, and bcl2l11 and survival indicate that the larger the difference between the expression in tumor and normal tissue of these genes, the shorter the survival time of the patient.