High numbers of human skin cancers express MMP2 and several integrin genes.
BACKGROUND
Basal cell carcinomas (BCC), squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) and cutaneous malignant melanoma (MM) are solid skin cancers derived from different cell types, with different ability to metastasize. Several subtypes of integrins and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) have been related to malignization and metastasis processes. This work aimed at a quantitative evaluation of skin cancers expressing eight integrins and MMP2 genes.


METHODS
Expression of integrins and MMP2 genes was evaluated on fresh tumor biopsies from BCC, SCC and MM, and respective controls, by the reverse transcriptase polychain reaction (RT-PCR) technique.


RESULTS
More than 90% tumors expressed alpha6a, beta1, beta3 and beta6 (non-melanoma), and alpha5a, alpha6a and MMP2 (MM). Up to 100% controls also expressed beta1 and beta3. The results were significant for alpha6a in BCC (p = 0.026), alpha6b in SCC (p = 0.035), alpha2a in BCC (p = 0.003), beta5 and beta6 in BCC (p = 0.005). MMP2 was expressed in 100% MM (p = 0.0004).


CONCLUSIONS
Integrin subunits alpha2a and alpha6a would be interesting targets for BCC anti-tumor therapy, as well as alpha6b in case of SCC. The elevated number of BCC expressing alpha2 and alpha6, and of MM expressing alphav and MMP2, corroborate literature data.
Orimoto
Adriana Mari
AM
Genetics Laboratory, Butantan Institute, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Neto
Cyro Festa
CF
Pimentel
Eugênio R A
ER
Sanches
José A
JA
Sotto
Mirian Nacagami
MN
Akaishi
Eduardo
E
Ruiz
Itamar R G
IR
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D016023:Integrins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D008545:Melanoma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D016023:Integrins; C522361:MMP2 protein, human; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2