[Expressions and clinical significance of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and uPA receptor (uPAR) in tongue squamous cell carcinoma].
OBJECTIVE
To study the expressions and clinical significance of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and uPA receptor (uPAR) in tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC).


METHODS
The expressions of uPA and uPAR at protein level were examined in 74 cases of TSCC and 15 cases of normal peripheral tissues around cancer (as control) by strep avidin-biotin complex (SABC) immunohistochemical technique. The relationship between the expressions of uPA and uPAR was evaluated by the Spearman's rank correlation test. Mann-Whitney U-test was used to examine the association of these factors with conventional clinical pathological factors. Pearson's Chi-square test was used to analyze the relationship between uPA, uPAR and cervical lymph node status.


RESULTS
The rates of the positive expression in TSCC of uPA and uPAR were 71.6% and 64.8% respectively, and a positive relationship between expression of uPA and uPAR was found (P<0.05). There was significant correlation between the level of uPA expression and TNM stage or cervical lymph node status, either between the level of uPAR expression and cervical lymph node status. Pathological grade was not significantly related to the level of uPA expression. Pathological grade and TNM stage were not significantly related to the level of uPAR expression. TSCC cases with concurrent positive expression of these proteins revealed significant higher tendency of cervical lymph node metastasis than those with concourse negative expression (P<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The expression of uPA and uPAR increased in TSCC, and uPA, uPAR may contribute significantly to TSCC invasion and metastasis.
Wang
Qiu-xu
QX
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Second Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, Liaoning Province, China. qiuxvwang@hotmail.com
Wang
Tian-xiang
TX
Sun
Chang-fu
CF
Zhang
Jing
J
D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D055293:Receptors, Urokinase Plasminogen Activator / Q000378:metabolism*; D014062:Tongue Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D014568:Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator / Q000378:metabolism*
D055293:Receptors, Urokinase Plasminogen Activator; D014568:Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator