Alterations in levels of different protein kinase C isotypes and their influence on behavior of squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity: epsilon PKC, a novel prognostic factor for relapse and survival.
BACKGROUND
Recent results suggest that some PKC isotypes, when overexposed, confer to cultured fibroblasts certain proliferative advantages, and enhanced tumorigenicity in nude mice, suggesting their participation in carcinogenic process. These findings need to be validated through the investigation of potential alterations of these kinases in common forms of human cancers.


METHODS
In this prospective study we determined levels of different PKC isozymes by Western blot in tissue extracts from 29 human primary squamous cell carcinomas of the oral cavity, and their respective controls. These expressions were correlated with behavior of tumor and histologic characteristics.


RESULTS
Dramatic alterations in different PKC isotypes were found. Thus, increased levels of isotypes alpha, beta, or gamma, and zeta were found in most of the patients, as well as significant correlations between levels of the isotype epsilon and survival-relapse rate and classical PKC isotypes with irregular morphology of tumoral interphase.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest participation of some PKC isotypes (alpha, beta, gamma, and zeta) in the genesis and behavior (epsilon) of oral cancers. Levels of epsilon PKC could be used as prognostic marker.
Martínez-Gimeno
C
C
Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, Hospital Nuestra Sra. de la Candelaria, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.
Díaz-Meco
M T
MT
Domínguez
I
I
Moscat
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis* / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D002455:Cell Division / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000032:analysis* / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000201:enzymology; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011493:Protein Kinase C / Q000032:analysis* / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking; D015996:Survival Rate
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D007527:Isoenzymes; D011493:Protein Kinase C