Investigation of trefoil factor expression in saliva and oral mucosal tissues of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
The aims of our study were to determine levels of trefoil factor (TFF) peptides in saliva and oral mucosal tissues from patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), and to evaluate whether individual members of TFFs (TFF1, TFF2, and TFF3) might act as biomarkers of disease.


METHODS
Saliva samples were from 23 healthy subjects and 23 OSCC patients. Tissue samples were collected from 32 normal oral mucosa (NOM) and 32 OSCC biopsy specimens. ELISA and immunohistochemical methods were used to evaluate the expression of TFF1, TFF2, and TFF3 in saliva and oral mucosal tissues, respectively.


RESULTS
Expression of TFF2 and TFF3 in oral mucosal tissues of OSCC patients was strongly downregulated when compared to healthy subjects (p < 0.001 and p = 0.002, respectively). However, there were no differences in levels of salivary TFF concentrations between OSCC patients and healthy subjects.


CONCLUSIONS
The present study extends previous observations, demonstrating the reduction of TFF2 and TFF3 expression in oral mucosal tissues of OSCC patients.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest the clinical significance of TFF2 and TFF3 molecules as negative markers of tumor progression in OSCC. Quantification of TFF levels in saliva may not be optimal in terms of diagnostic or predictive value for OSCC derived from oral mucosa.
Department of Oral Diagnosis, Faculty of Dentistry, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand. cponla@kku.ac.th
Ponlatham
P
Chaiyarit
Akasith
A
Utrawichian
Chanvit
C
Leelayuwat
Patrawut
P
Vatanasapt
Nattharee
N
Chanchareonsook
Mie Hessellund
MH
Samson
Andrew S
AS
Giraud
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis; D001706:Biopsy; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000473:pathology; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000473:pathology; D015536:Down-Regulation; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000473:pathology; D004967:Estrogens / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000473:pathology*; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D010455:Peptides / Q000032:analysis*; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry*; D000071163:Trefoil Factor-1; D000071164:Trefoil Factor-2; D000071165:Trefoil Factor-3; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D055815:Young Adult
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D004967:Estrogens; D006133:Growth Substances; D010455:Peptides; C051838:TFF1 protein, human; C000604007:TFF2 protein, human; C082495:TFF3 protein, human; D000071163:Trefoil Factor-1; D000071164:Trefoil Factor-2; D000071165:Trefoil Factor-3; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins