Study of Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor (MIF) in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma

Author(s)

Mariana Barbosa de Souza

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Medicina (FM/SBD)
• Defense date: 2014-04-15

Examining board members

Marcos Brasilino de Carvalho; Roger Chammas; Otávio Alberto Curioni

• Advisor: Marcos Brasilino de Carvalho

Abstract

INTRODUCTION. The Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor (MIF) overexpression is frequently observed in tumor tissues compared to normal tissues and some previous studies have suggested its role as a prognostic marker of malignancies, including hepatocellular, ovarian, esophageal and also head and neck carcinoma. Additionally, some of its mechanisms of action, as migration and cell proliferation induction, have been demonstrated, which allow imply a differential expression in tumor progression and therefore in the prognosis of malignant neoplasms. OBJECTIVES. This study aimed to evaluate the role of MIF protein and its receptor CD74 in prognosis and diagnostic of oral squamous cell carcinoma. METHODS. The study consisted of 50 patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma prospectively collected and 57 patients retrospectively collected admitted at the Head and Neck Surgery Service from Heliópolis Hospital and ABC Medical School. The analysis were performed by Imunohistochemistry of tumor and normal tissues and by ELISA of serum and saliva samples collected pre and post-surgical treatment. Results were correlated to clinical and histopathological data. RESULTS. The expression of MIF protein and of its receptor CD74 was higher in OSCC than in normal epithelium (p < 0,0001). Association between overexpression of MIF in tumor tissue and lymphatic vessel invasion was observed (p=0,005) and higher concentration of MIF in normal epithelium showed correlation of marginal significance with second primary tumor occurrence (p=0,072). The positive expression of the receptor CD74 did not presented association with clinical or histopathological variables. Serum MIF concentration presented inverse association with lymph node metastasis (p=0,018) and advanced pathological stage (p=0,040) and it was significantly reduced after the surgery (p=0,001). The salivary MIF concentration was not significantly reduced after the surgery, but it was associated with pT3 and pT4 stages (p=0,001) and advanced pathological findings (p=0,032). CONCLUSIONS. The results showing significant reduction of MIF concentration in post-surgical serum of patients suggest its potential role as a biomarker to early detection of oral squamous cell carcinoma recurrence. The MIF and CD74 expression presented controversial role, but the salivary concentration of MIF seems to develop a possible pro-tumoral role (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/03281-5 - Evaluation of expression of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) as prognostic marker in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma
• Grantee: MARIANA BARBOSA DE SOUZA RIZZO
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master