title: MAD2 expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma and its relationship to tumor grade and proliferation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Defects in the cell-cycle surveillance mechanism, called the spindle checkpoint, might contribute to the chromosomal instability observed in human cancers, including oral squamous cell carcinoma. MAD2 and BUBR1 are key components of the spindle checkpoint, whose role in oral carcinogenesis and clinical relevance still need to be elucidated.
  
  
  METHODS
  We analyzed the expression of MAD2 in 49 cases of oral squamous cell carcinoma by immunohistochemistry and compared the findings with clinicopathological parameters, proliferative activity, BUBR1 expression and DNA ploidy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MAD2 was over-expressed in 18 (36.7%) cases. Tumors with over-expression of MAD2 were associated with the progression of histological grade from well to poor differentiation (p<0.001), the extent of lymph nodes involvement (PN) (p=0.0339) and Ki-67 labeling index (p<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MAD2 may be involved in oral carcinogenesis and may represent an important prognostic factor associated with a more malignant phenotype of oral squamous cell carcinoma.
authors.affiliation: Unit of Pathology, Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy crizzardi@units.it.
authors.forename: Clara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rizzardi
authors.affiliation: Department of Mathematics and Earth Science, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.
authors.forename: Lucio
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Torelli
authors.affiliation: Unit of Pathology, ASS n.2 "Isontina", Gorizia, Italy.
authors.forename: Manuela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schneider
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.
authors.forename: Fabiola
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Giudici
authors.affiliation: Unit of Pathology, Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.
authors.forename: Lorenzo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zandona
authors.affiliation: Unit of Odontology and Stomatology, Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.
authors.forename: Matteo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Biasotto
authors.affiliation: Unit of Odontology and Stomatology, Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Di Lenarda
authors.affiliation: Scientific Research Institute and Hospital for Pediatrics "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy.
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Melato
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D043171:Chromosomal Instability / Q000235:genetics; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D059566:M Phase Cell Cycle Checkpoints / Q000235:genetics*; D064246:Mad2 Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D060787:Neoplasm Grading; D011379:Prognosis; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D016707:Tissue Fixation
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C577697:MAD2L1 protein, human; D064246:Mad2 Proteins; C584277:BUB1 protein, human; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
keywords: BUBR1; MAD2; Squamous cell carcinoma; oral; prognostic factor; spindle checkpoint