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Metallothionein gene expression is altered in oral cancer and may predict metastasis and patient outcomes
Author(s) -
BrazãoSilva Marco T,
Rodrigues Maria Fernandes S,
Eisenberg Ana Lúcia A,
Dias Fernando L,
Castro Luciana M,
Nunes Fábio D,
Faria Paulo R,
Cardoso Sérgio V,
Loyola Adriano M,
Sousa Suzana C O M
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
histopathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.626
H-Index - 124
eISSN - 1365-2559
pISSN - 0309-0167
DOI - 10.1111/his.12660
Subject(s) - metallothionein , cancer , metastasis , gene expression , medicine , gene , oncology , cancer metastasis , cancer research , pathology , bioinformatics , biology , genetics
Aims Metallothioneins ( MT s) are proteins associated with the carcinogenesis and prognosis of various tumours. Previous studies have shown their potential as biomarkers in oral squamous cell carcinoma ( OSCC ). Aiming to understand more clearly the function of MT s in OSCC we evaluated, for the first time, the gene expression profile of MT s in this neoplasm. Materials and results Tissue samples from 35 cases of tongue and/or floor of mouth OSCC , paired with their corresponding non‐neoplastic oral mucosa ( NNOM ), were retrieved (2007–09). All tissues were analysed for the following genes using TaqMan ® reverse transcription–quantitative polymerase chain reaction ( RT – qPCR ) assays: MT 1A , MT 1B , MT 1E , MT 1F , MT 1G , MT 1H , MT 1X , MT 2A , MT 3 and MT 4 . The expression of MT 1B and MT 1H was seldom detected in both OSCC and NNOM . A significant loss of MT 1A , MT 1X , MT 3 and MT 4 expression and gain of MT 1F expression was observed in OSCC , compared to NNOM . Cases with MT 1G down‐regulation exhibited the worst prognoses. The up‐regulation of MT 1X was restricted to non‐metastatic cases, whereas up‐regulation of MT 3 was related to cases with lymph node metastasis. Conclusions Metallothionein mRNA expression is altered significantly in oral squamous cell carcinomas. The expression of MT 1G , MT 1X and MT 3 may aid in the prognostic discrimination of OSCC cases.