GTSP1 expression in non-smoker and nondrinker patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

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Soares, Pamela de Oliveira ; Cury, Patricia Maluf ; Mendoza Lopez, Rossana Veronica ; Cernea, Claudio Roberto ; Fukuyama, Erika Erina ; Alves Figueiredo, David Livingstone ; da Nobrega, Francisco Gorgonio ; Curioni, Otavio Alberto ; Nunes, Fabio Daumas ; Moyses, Raquel Ajub ; Bueno Garcia, Maria Lucia ; GENCAPO, HEAD NECK GENOME PROJECT

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: PLoS One; v. 12, n. 8 AUG 17 2017.
• Web of Science Citations: 2

Abstract

Introduction The main risk factors for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) are tobacco and alcohol consumption and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. However, in a subset of patients, no risk factors can be identified. Glutathione S-transferase p (GTSP1) is a carcinogen-detoxifying enzyme that is activated by exposure to carcinogens, and it is associated with a reduction in response to toxic therapies. We studied the expression of GTSP1 in tumor and non-tumor tissue samples from patients with and without these risks to identify whether GTSP1 expression differs according to exposure to carcinogens. Materials and methods Non-smoker/non-drinker (NSND) and smoker/drinker (SD) patients were matched according to age, gender, tumor site, TNM stage, grade and histological variants to establish 47 pairs of patients who have been previously tested for HPV. GTSP1 immunostaining was analyzed using a semi-quantitative method with scores ranging from 0 to 3 according to the area of immunostaining. Results GTSP1 expression was detected in the tumors of both groups. GTSP1 expression was higher in the non-tumor margins of SD patients (p = 0.004). There was no association between GTSP1 expression and positivity for HPV. No differences in survival were observed according to GTSP1 staining in tumors and non-tumor margins. Conclusion This study showed that GTSP1 was expressed in tumors of HNSCC patients regardless of smoking, drinking or HPV infection status. The difference in GTSP1 expression in non-tumor margins between the two groups may have been due to two possible reasons. First, elevated GTSP1 expression in SD patients might be the result of activation of GTSP1 in response to exposure to carcinogens. Second, alternatively, impairment in the detoxifying system of GTSP1, as observed by the reduced expression of GTSP1, might make patients susceptible to carcinogens other than tobacco and alcohol, which may be the underlying mechanism of carcinogenesis in the absence of risk factors. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 04/12054-9 - Markers of aggressive behavior in head and neck tumors
• Grantee: Eloiza Helena Tajara da Silva
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants