Topoisomerase expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma: relationship with cancer stem cells profiles and lymph node metastasis

• Published in: Journal of oral pathology & medicine 2012-11, Vol.41 (10), p.762-768
• Main Authors: Oliveira-Costa, João Paulo, Oliveira, Lucinei Roberto, da Silveira, Giórgia Gobbi, Soave, Danilo Figueiredo, Soares, Fernando Augusto, Ribeiro-Silva, Alfredo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Biological and medical sciences; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - enzymology; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - mortality; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - pathology; Dentistry; DNA Topoisomerases, Type I - classification; DNA Topoisomerases, Type I - metabolism; Female; Hematologic and hematopoietic diseases; Humans; Immunophenotyping; Leukemias. Malignant lymphomas. Malignant reticulosis. Myelofibrosis; lymph node metastasis; Lymphatic Metastasis; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Mouth Neoplasms - enzymology; Mouth Neoplasms - mortality; Mouth Neoplasms - pathology; Neoplastic Stem Cells - cytology; oral squamous cell carcinoma; Otorhinolaryngology. Stomatology; Prognosis; Proportional Hazards Models; Risk Assessment; stem cells; Survival Rate; topoisomerase I; topoisomerase IIIα; topoisomerase IIα; Tumors; Upper respiratory tract, upper alimentary tract, paranasal sinuses, salivary glands: diseases, semeiology
• ISSN: 0904-2512; 1600-0714
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0714.2012.01174.x

J Oral Pathol Med (2012) 41: 762–768 Background:  The relationship between predictive proteins and tumors presenting cancer stem cells (CSCs) profiles in oral tumors is still poorly understood. This study aims to identify the relationship between topoisomerases I, IIα, and IIIα and putative CSCs immunophenotype in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and determine its influence on prognosis. Methods:  The following data were retrieved from 127 patients: age, gender, primary anatomic site, smoking and alcohol intake, recurrence, metastases, histologic classification, treatment, and survival. An immunohistochemical study for topoisomerases I, IIα, and IIIα was performed in a tissue microarray containing 127 paraffin blocks of OSCCs. Results:  In univariate analysis, topoisomerases expression showed significant differences according to CSCs profiles and p53 immunoexpression, but not with survival. Topoisomerases IIα and IIIα also showed significant relationship with lymph node metastasis. The multivariate test confirmed these associations. Conclusions:  The results that all topoisomerases correlates with OSCC CSCs may indicate a role for topoisomerases in head and neck carcinogenesis. Notwithstanding, it is plausible that other members of topoisomerases family could represent novel therapeutical targets in oral squamous cell carcinoma.