Proteomics-based identification of haptoglobin as a novel plasma biomarker in oral squamous cell carcinoma.
BACKGROUND
Identification of tumor biomarkers to assist early diagnosis and monitoring of disease progression may potentially decrease the mortality and morbidity associated with oral cancer.


METHODS
A mouse model with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) induced by 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide (4-NQO)/arecoline in drinking water was established to discover stage-associated biomarkers. A proteomics approach, immunoblot and immunohistochemical analysis were used to validate the expressed biomarkers in mice with OSCC. Human plasma samples were also collected and candidate biomarkers were evaluated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.


RESULTS
Proteomic profiling of mouse plasma samples indicated that haptoglobin and apolipoprotein A1 precursor were up-regulated in the mice with OSCC. Immunoblotting of plasma samples and immunohistochemical analysis of oral tissues showed a significantly higher level of haptoglobin in the OSCC mice than in the control mice. The expression of haptoglobin in human plasma samples from 52 patients with OSCC indicated a strong correlation between the increasing levels of haptoglobin and the clinical stages of OSCC (P<0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that haptoglobin has a great potential as a sensitive plasma biomarker for early detection of patients with OSCC.
Lai
Chih-Ho
CH
Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
Chang
Nai-Wen
NW
Lin
Chin-Fen
CF
Lin
Chia-Der
CD
Lin
Ying-Ju
YJ
Wan
Lei
L
Sheu
Jim Jinn-Chyuan
JJ
Chen
Shih-Yin
SY
Huang
Yi-Ping
YP
Sing
Yu-Ting
YT
Tao
Tse-Wen
TW
Lai
Cheng-Kuo
CK
Tsai
Ming-Hsui
MH
Chan
Hong-Lin
HL
Jou
Yu-Jen
YJ
Lin
Cheng-Wen
CW
D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006242:Haptoglobins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D015151:Immunoblotting; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D040901:Proteomics; D014062:Tongue Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology
D015415:Biomarkers; D006242:Haptoglobins