Relative Expression of OCT4, SOX2 and NANOG in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Versus Adjacent Non- Tumor Tissue.

Fereshteh Baghai Naini,Alireza Abdollahi,Neda Kardouni Khoozestani,Hadiseh Mohammadpour,Mahshid Hodjat,Pouyan Aminishakib

doi:10.31557/apjcp.2019.20.6.1649

Abstract

Objective:Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) accounts for over 90% of oral neoplasms. Finding molecular markers for predicting prognosis is a high priority. The core transcription factors, OCT4, SOX2, and NANOG that regulate embryonic stem cell pluripotency have been implicated in progression of various malignancies. The predictive value of these markers and their role in the development of OSCC is still controversial. In this study, we therefore evaluated their expression in OSCCs and adjacent non-tumor tissue. Methods:A total of 60 frozen tumor and adjacent non-tumor tissue samples from 30 patients with OSCC were examined using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Clinical and pathological data of patients including tumor stage, lymph node metastasis and tumor grade were also recorded. Results:Expression of SOX2 was significantly higher in adjacent non-tumor as compared to tumor tissue (P=0.04). No statistically significant differences were found for expression of OCT4 (P=0.50) and NANOG (P=0.68). Also, there was no significant association between expression of OCT4, SOX2, and NANOG and clinical or pathological data (P>0.05), although slightly higher values were noted in patients without lymph node metastasis. Conclusion:Based on the present data, decreased expression of SOX2 is correlated with carcinogenesis in the oral cavity and development of OSCC.

Highlights

It is known that 5% of all tumors develop in the head and neck region, out of which 50% occur in the oral cavity (Geum et al, 2013)
There was no significant association between expression of OCT4, Sex-determining region Y-box 2 (SOX2), and NANOG and clinical or pathological data (P>0.05), slightly higher values were noted in patients without lymph node metastasis
OCT4, SOX2, and NANOG, the core transcription factors known for their regulatory role in the pluripotency of embryonic stem cell, have been largely implicated as the marker of cancer stem cell (CSC) in different malignancies (Chiou et al, 2008; Vaiphei et al, 2014)

Summary

Introduction

It is known that 5% of all tumors develop in the head and neck region, out of which 50% occur in the oral cavity (Geum et al, 2013). The risk of recurrence of tumors in the oral cavity is relatively high compared to the tumors in other parts of the body (Liu et al, 2007). Oral carcinomas are among the 10 most common malignancies in humans and has been reported as the major cause of morbidity, mortality and facial deformity worldwide (Bau et al, 2011; Bernier, 2011). Despite recent advances in cancer treatment, the rate of morbidity and mortality is still high in a considerable number of patients presenting with local recurrence, systemic metastasis or secondary tumors, which highlights the need for strategies for earlier detection and most effective treatment of cancer (Woolgar et al, 1995)

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Conclusion