Expression of hedgehog signaling molecules as a prognostic indicator of oral squamous cell carcinoma

• Published in: Head & neck Vol. 34; no. 11; pp. 1556 - 1561
• Main Authors: Wang, Yi-Fen, Chang, Chun-Ju, Lin, Chin-Ping, Chang, Shyue-Yih, Chu, Pen-Yuan, Tai, Shyh-Kuan, Li, Wing-Yin, Chao, K.S. Clifford, Chen, Yu-Jen
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 01.11.2012; Wiley
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Biological and medical sciences; Biomarkers, Tumor - metabolism; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - metabolism; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - pathology; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic - metabolism; Female; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; hedgehog; Hedgehog Proteins - metabolism; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Male; Medical sciences; metastasis; Middle Aged; Mouth Neoplasms - metabolism; Mouth Neoplasms - pathology; oral squamous cell carcinoma; Otorhinolaryngology. Stomatology; Prognosis; Signal Transduction; survival; Tumors; Upper respiratory tract, upper alimentary tract, paranasal sinuses, salivary glands: diseases, semeiology; Prognosis; hedgehog; Stomatology; Oral cavity disease; ENT; Malignant tumor; Oral squamous cell carcinoma; Metastasis; Survival; Indicator; Cancer
• ISSN: 1043-3074; 1097-0347; 1097-0347
• DOI: 10.1002/hed.21958

Background Recent studies have indicated hedgehog pathway plays a role in carcinogenesis of certain cancers. We investigated the clinical significance of its signaling components, including Sonic hedgehog (Shh), Patched (Ptch), and Gli‐1, in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Methods By immunohistochemistry, we determined Shh, Ptch, and Gli‐1 expression in surgical specimens from 40 patients with OSCC. The relationship between expression of these molecules and clinicopathologic variables were assessed by chi‐square analysis. Statistical difference of survival was compared using log‐rank test. Results Ptch overexpression was associated with lymphatic metastasis (p = .028). Nuclear Gli‐1 overexpression correlated with primary tumor size (p = .001), lymphatic metastasis (p = .011), and tumor recurrence (p = .008). Overexpression of Ptch (p = .020) or Gli‐1 (p = .002) in OSCC indicated poor prognosis in the univariate survival analysis. Conclusion Our results suggest sonic hedgehog (Shh) pathway plays an important role in OSCC progression and should be considered a potential therapeutic target. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2012