Immunohistochemical evaluation of the expression of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition markers E/N-cadherin and SNAIL/SLUG on the sequence dysplastic epithelium - oral squamous cell Carcinoma - lymph node metastasis

• Grant number: 13/01042-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: June 01, 2013
• End date: December 31, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Dentistry
• Principal Investigator: Camila de Oliveira Rodini Pegoraro
• Grantee: Nathália Martins Lopes
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Odontologia de Bauru (FOB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Bauru , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Oral squamous cell carcinoma is an aggressive malignant neoplasm with low survival rates and may be preceded by pre-malignant lesions, such as leukoplakia and erythroplakia. Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), an important event in embryogenesis and wound healing, is the process by which cells lose their epithelial characteristics and acquire a phenotype similar to the mesenchymal cells. Recent studies have revealed the activation of the EMT program in epithelial malignant neoplasms, which can lead to tumor progression, invasion, and metastasis. EMT is mediated by transcription factors such as SNAIL and TWIST that promote negative regulation of epithelial markers such as E-cadherin and the positive regulation of mesenchymal markers, including N-cadherin. This study aims to investigate the immunoexpression of E/N-cadherin as well as SNAIL/SLUG in different stages of carcinogenesis, in comparison with control tissues. Then, the main purpose is to identify reliable biomarkers that might predict the potential of malignant transformation and tumor behavior, especially related to the presence of metastasis, which is still obscure for oral squamous cell carcinoma. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

LOPES, NATHALIA MARTINS; AQUINO XAVIER, FLAVIA CALO; ORTIZ, RAFAEL CARNEIRO; AMOR, NADIA GHINELLI; GARLET, GUSTAVO POMPERMAIER; LARA, VANESSA SOARES; BATISTA, ALINE CARVALHO; COSTA, NADIA LAGO; RODINI, CAMILA OLIVEIRA. Subcellular localization and expression of E-cadherin and SNAIL are relevant since early stages of oral carcinogenesis. PATHOLOGY RESEARCH AND PRACTICE, v. 214, n. 8, p. 1185-1191, AUG 2018. (13/01042-9)