title: Evaluation of MAGE-A expression and grade of dysplasia for predicting             malignant progression of oral leukoplakia.
abstract: The risk of the malignant transformation of oral leukoplakia (OLP) is difficult to predict by histopathology. Melanoma-associated antigen-A (MAGE-A) expression is restricted to malignant cells and may be useful for the more accurate estimation of the potential malignant transformation of pre-malignant lesions. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the expression of MAGE-A can be used to predict the malignant transformation of OLP. Paraffin-embedded tissue samples of OLP from 74 patients followed-up for at least 5 years were included. A total of 24 progressing and 50 non-progressing OLP, 18 corresponding tumor and 30 healthy mucosa specimens were analysed for MAGE-A 1, 3, 4, 6 10 and 12 expression by nested real‑time RT-PCR and graded for dysplasia. In total, 46% of the progressing lesions expressed at least 1 out of the examined MAGE-A antigens, whereas no expression was detected in any of the non-progressing OLP and normal specimens. The correlation between malignant transformation and MAGE-A expression was statistically significant (p=0.00001). Furthermore, 42% of the progressing OLPs without dysplasia (D0) expressed at least 1 antigen. The correlation between the grade of dysplasia and MAGE-A staining in the malignant transformation group was not significant (p=0.08). The detection of at least 1 MAGE-A antigen may allow the identification of high-risk lesions that may progress into carcinoma with time. Therefore, the investigation of MAGE-A expression should be assessed in order to obtain a more accurate evaluation of the potential cancer risk of OLP.
authors: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Erlangen University Hospital, Erlangen, Germany. jutta.ries@uk-erlangen.de
authors: Jutta
authors: J
authors: Ries
authors: Abbas
authors: A
authors: Agaimy
authors: Elefterios
authors: E
authors: Vairaktaris
authors: Yeeun
authors: Y
authors: Kwon
authors: Friedrich W
authors: FW
authors: Neukam
authors: Lei H
authors: LH
authors: Strassburg
authors: Emeka
authors: E
authors: Nkenke
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000175:diagnosis; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006965:Hyperplasia; D007972:Leukoplakia, Oral / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D058950:Melanoma-Specific Antigens / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D008875:Middle Aged; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D058950:Melanoma-Specific Antigens; D012333:RNA, Messenger