Differential and comparative immunohistochemical analysis between primary OSCC and corresponding metastatic lesions

• Grant number: 15/06945-2
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Effective date (Start): May 01, 2015
• Effective date (End): April 30, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Dentistry
• Principal researcher: Camila de Oliveira Rodini Pegoraro
• Grantee: Rafael Carneiro Ortiz
• Home Institution: Faculdade de Odontologia de Bauru (FOB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Bauru , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 13/07245-9 - Investigation of the role of cancer stem cells and microenvironment on epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, invasion and metastasis in oral squamous cell carcinoma, AP.JP

Abstract

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCCs) is one of the most common cancer of the head and neck and results in high morbidity and mortality annually. The worst prognosis in this disease is related to the presence of cervical lymph nodes metastasis which occurs in 25 to 65% of cases. At some stage of the disease, epithelial tumor cells undergo a process named epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), characterized by changing from epithelial to mesenchymal phenotype that is caused by the loss or decrease on expression of epithelial cell markers and increased of expression of mesenchymal markers, mediated by transcription factors of the cell itself. Therefore, EMT facilitates the invasion of the underlying tissues, resulting in metastasis. Recent studies have shown that only a subpopulation of tumor cell, named cancer stem cells (CSC), is responsible for the recurrence of tumors and metastases, which is related to the epithelial-mesenchymal transition in carcinomas, since CSC have a higher rate of migration and metastatic potential compared to other ordinary tumor cells.. Thus, the purpose of this study is to identify possible biomarkers of CSC subpopulation and EMT process in primary tumors and corresponding lymph node metastases, by means of immunohistochemistry. After characterizing the expression profile of these markers, associated with clinicopathological features and patient survival data, it possible to be able to predict which patients should be followed more closely and/or receive adjuvant therapy.