Gene expression patterns through oral squamous cell carcinoma development: PD-L1 expression in primary tumor and circulating tumor cells

Author(s):Show less -

Oliveira-Costa, Joao Paulo ^[1] ; de Carvalho, Alex Fiorini ^[2] ; da Silveira, Giorgia Gobbi ^[1] ; Amaya, Peter ^[3] ; Wu, Yongqi ^[3] ; Park, Kyoung-Joo Jenny ^[3] ; Gigliola, Mabel Pinilla ^[2] ; Lustberg, Maryam ^[4] ; Cavicchioli Buim, Marcilei Eliza ^[5] ; Ferreira, Elisa Napolitano ^[2] ; Kowalski, Luiz Paulo ^[6] ; Chalmers, Jeffrey J. ^[3] ; Soares, Fernando Augusto ^[5] ; Carraro, Dirce Maria ^[2] ; Ribeiro-Silva, Alfredo ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto Sch Med, Dept Pathol, BR-14049 Ribeirao Preto - Brazil

^[2] AC Camargo Canc Ctr, CIPE, Lab Genom & Mol Biol, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[3] Ohio State Univ, William G Lowrie Dept Chem & Biomol Engn, Columbus, OH 43210 - USA

^[4] Ohio State Univ, Wexner Med Ctr, Stefanie Spielman Comprehens Breast Ctr, Columbus, OH 43210 - USA

^[5] AC Camargo Canc Ctr, Dept Anat Pathol, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[6] AC Camargo Canc Ctr, Dept Head & Neck Surg & Otorhinolaryngol, Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: ONCOTARGET; v. 6, n. 25, p. 20902-20920, AUG 28 2015.
• Web of Science Citations: 40

Abstract

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common tumor of the oral cavity and has been associated with poor prognosis. Scarce prognostic markers are available for guiding treatment and/or sub-classifying patients. This study aims to identify biomarkers by searching for genes whose expression is increased or decreased during tumor progression (through T1 to T4 stages). Thirty-six samples from all tumor size stages (from T1 to T4) were analyzed using cDNA microarrays. Selected targets were analyzed by immunohistochemistry and in circulating tumor cells by immunofluorescence and Nanostring. Correlation was shown between PD-L1 and tumor size and lymph node metastasis, HOXB9 and tumor size, BLNK and perineural invasion, and between ZNF813 and perineural invasion. PD-L1 positivity was an independent prognostic factor in this cohort (p = 0.044, HH = 0.426). In CTCs from patients with locally advanced OSCC, we found a strong cytoplasmatic expression of PD-L1. PD-L1 is a ligand of PD-1 and is believed to limit T cell activity in inflammatory responses and limit autoimmune diseases. We demonstrated an important role for PD-L1 in primary tumors according to tumor size, and in disease specific survival. Therefore, we could further determine individuals with PD-L1+ CTCs, and possibly follow treatment using CTCs. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/18606-7 - CDNA and lincRNA microarrays: identification of expression patterns related to metastatization in oral squamous cell carcinoma
• Grantee: Fernando Augusto Soares
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 10/08637-0 - Identification of molecular profiles associated to the development of oral squamous cell carcinoma using the cDNA microarray technology
• Grantee: Alfredo Ribeiro da Silva
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 14/14991-1 - Fibroblast growth factor receptors status in squamous cell carcinomas and circulating tumor cells
• Grantee: João Paulo Oliveira da Costa
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 10/08400-0 - Identification of molecular profiles associated to the development of oral squamous cell carcinoma using the cDNA microarrays technology
• Grantee: João Paulo Oliveira da Costa
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate