Molecular markers of micrometastasis in oral cavity carcinomas.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the expression of candidate markers for micrometastasis.


METHODS
Cross-sectional analysis of subjects with oral cavity carcinomas who underwent sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) and subsequent immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis.


METHODS
Two groups were identified based on SLNB status: negative SLNB (19/30) and positive SLNB (11/30). Specimens underwent IHC using conjugated monoclonal antibodies for membrane type-1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP), CD44, focal adhesion kinase-1, and E-cadherin. Staining results were evaluated to determine if a particular marker was associated with SLNB status or other histopathologic prognosticators.


RESULTS
For MT1-MMP, 21 percent (3/14) of evaluable specimens stained positively in the SLNB(-) group and 67 percent (4/6) stained positively in the SLNB(+) group (P=0.12). No statistically significant association was seen between any marker's staining pattern and SLNB status alone. When MT1-MMP staining was evaluated in tumors with SLNB(+) or perineural invasion (PNI) present on histopathology, six of nine specimens (67%) stained positively for MT1-MMP, vs one of 11 (9%) in specimens lacking either negative prognosticator (P=0.016, RR=7.33).


CONCLUSIONS
Preliminary results suggest that MT1-MMP positivity in primary tumor specimens may identify aggressive tumor types, evidenced by the presence of micrometastasis or PNI.
Germani
Ross M
RM
Department of Otolaryngology, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA. rgermani@med.miami.edu
Civantos
Francisco J
FJ
Elgart
George
G
Roberts
Brenda
B
Franzmann
Elizabeth J
EJ
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism*; D015820:Cadherins / Q000378:metabolism; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology*; D051417:Focal Adhesion Kinase 1 / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D018960:Hyaluronan Receptors / Q000378:metabolism; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D053511:Matrix Metalloproteinase 14 / Q000378:metabolism; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D021701:Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C497483:CD44 protein, human; D015820:Cadherins; D018960:Hyaluronan Receptors; D051417:Focal Adhesion Kinase 1; D053511:Matrix Metalloproteinase 14