Differentiation and cathepsin D expression in human oral tumors

• Published in: The Laryngoscope Vol. 108; no. 8 Pt 1; p. 1234
• Main Authors: Brysk, M M, Lei, G, Adler-Storthz, K, Chen, Z, Horikoshi, T, Brysk, H, Tyring, S K, Arany, I
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.08.1998
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Biomarkers, Tumor - analysis; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - metabolism; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - pathology; Cathepsin D - analysis; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic - pathology; Female; Humans; Keratins - analysis; Male; Middle Aged; Mouth Neoplasms - metabolism; Mouth Neoplasms - pathology; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Prognosis; RNA, Messenger - analysis; RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase
• ISSN: 0023-852X
• DOI: 10.1097/00005537-199808000-00025

This study aimed to ascertain whether cathepsin D expression could be related to the stage of differentiation of oral tumors. Human oral biopsies of 10 squamous cell carcinomas and of the corresponding perilesional normal tissues were used. The tumors had all been clinically graded as advanced stage but nonmetastatic; five were classified histopathologically as poorly differentiated. The gene expression of cathepsin D and keratin K13 in the biopsies was measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Ratios of tumor-to-control readings helped compensate for sample variability. Keratin K13, as a suprabasal cell marker, tended to confirm the histological grading of the tumors (but was not otherwise useful in distinguishing tumors from normal tissue). Substantial overexpression of cathepsin D was found in the poorly differentiated tumors. Cathepsin D overexpression is considered a prognostic indicator of metastasis. In this sample, it was also associated with dedifferentiation. Cathepsin D might serve as a valuable gauge in clinical exploration of the connection between dedifferentiation and metastasis.