Homeobox gene expression profile indicates HOXA5 as a candidate prognostic             marker in oral squamous cell carcinoma.
The search for molecular markers to improve diagnosis, individualize treatment             and predict behavior of tumors has been the focus of several studies. This study             aimed to analyze homeobox gene expression profile in oral squamous cell carcinoma             (OSCC) as well as to investigate whether some of these genes are relevant molecular             markers of prognosis and/or tumor aggressiveness. Homeobox gene expression levels             were assessed by microarrays and qRT-PCR in OSCC tissues and adjacent non-cancerous             matched tissues (margin), as well as in OSCC cell lines. Analysis of microarray             data revealed the expression of 147 homeobox genes, including one set of six at             least 2-fold up-regulated, and another set of 34 at least 2-fold down-regulated             homeobox genes in OSCC. After qRT-PCR assays, the three most up-regulated homeobox             genes (HOXA5, HOXD10 and HOXD11) revealed higher and statistically significant             expression levels in OSCC samples when compared to margins. Patients presenting             lower expression of HOXA5 had poorer prognosis compared to those with higher expression             (P=0.03). Additionally, the status of HOXA5, HOXD10 and HOXD11 expression levels             in OSCC cell lines also showed a significant up-regulation when compared to normal             oral keratinocytes. Results confirm the presence of three significantly upregulated             (>4-fold) homeobox genes (HOXA5, HOXD10 and HOXD11) in OSCC that may play a             significant role in the pathogenesis of these tumors. Moreover, since lower levels             of HOXA5 predict poor prognosis, this gene may be a novel candidate for development             of therapeutic strategies in OSCC.
Laboratory of Molecular Pathology, Department of Oral Pathology,                     School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Cidade Universitária, 05508-000                     São Paulo, Brazil.
Camila Oliveira
CO
Rodini
Flávia Caló Aquino
FC
Xavier
Katiúcia Batista Silva
KB
Paiva
Maria Fernanda
MF
De Souza Setúbal Destro
Raquel Ajub
RA
Moyses
Pedro
P
Michaluarte
Marcos Brasilino
MB
Carvalho
Erica Erina
EE
Fukuyama
Eloiza Helena
EH
Tajara
Oswaldo Keith
OK
Okamoto
Fabio Daumas
FD
Nunes
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D011379:Prognosis; D015996:Survival Rate
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C489213:HOXA5 protein, human; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins