FGFR1 is an important prognostic factor in oral leukoplakia and tongue squamous cell carcinoma

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Mariz, Bruno Augusto Linhares Almeida ; de Sa, Raisa Sales ; Araujo, Anna Luiza Damaceno ; Fernandes, Carla Isabelly Rodrigues ; Mariano, Fernanda Viviane ; Santos-Silva, Alan Roger ; Lopes, Marcio Ajudarte ; Vargas, Pablo Agustin ; de Almeida, Oslei Paes ; Kowalski, Luiz Paulo ; Jorge, Jacks

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: JOURNAL OF ORAL PATHOLOGY & MEDICINE; v. 52, n. 2, p. 8-pg., 2023-01-04.

Abstract

Background: Fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 is a potential prognostic factor for tongue squamous cell carcinoma and is associated with oral epithelial dysplasia grade in oral leukoplakia.Methods: Thirty cases of tongue squamous cell carcinoma and 30 cases of oral leukoplakia were analyzed. Fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 and phosphorylated Akt protein expression were analyzed by immunohistochemistry and quantified using a digital algorithm. Fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 gene amplification was analyzed by fluorescent in situ hybridization in the tongue squamous cell carcinoma cases.Results: Clinical appearance and dysplasia grade were correlated with oral leukoplakia malignant transformation. Oral leukoplakia cases presenting high fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 expression showed a higher risk of malignant transformation (p = 0.016, HR: 7.3, 95% CI: 1.4-37.4). Phosphorylated Akt showed faint to no expression in oral leukoplakia, which did not correlate with dysplasia grade or malignant transformation. High expression of fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 and phosohorylated Akt were associated with poor overall survival and disease-free survival in tongue squamous cell carcinoma, although only fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 expression was significantly associated with poor overall survival (p = 0.024; HR: 4.9, 95% CI: 1.2-19.9). Cases presenting double fibroblast growth factor receptor 1/phosphorylated Akt overexpression (n = 8) showed markedly impaired overall survival (p = 0.020; HR: 6.4, 95% CI: 1.3-31.1) and disease-free survival (p = 0.001, HR: 13.0, 95% CI: 3.0-55.7). Fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 amplification was observed in 16.6% of tongue squamous cell carcinoma cases, being correlated with vascular and neural invasion (p = 0.001 and 0.017, respectively), but not with fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 protein expression, overall survival, or disease-free survival.Conclusion: Fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 protein expression is an important prognostic factor in oral leukoplakia and tongue squamous cell carcinoma. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 18/24715-2 - FGF-2, FGFR-1, PI3K, Akt and COX-2 expression in Oral Leucoplakia, primary and metastatic Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma
• Grantee: Bruno Augusto Linhares Almeida Mariz
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate