title: Expression of stem cell-regulating miRNAs in oral cavity and oropharynx squamous cell carcinoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth most common tumor worldwide and is histologically heterogeneous. Studies have demonstrated the presence of stem cell markers in HNSCC, and microRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as powerful regulators of differentiation, controlling the self-renewal of stem cells. miRNAs are non-coding RNA molecules that regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally. Many miRNAs have been described as regulators of stem cells in different types of cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  We have analyzed the expression of let-7a, miR-34, miR-125b, miR-138, miR-145, miR-183, miR-200b, miR-203, and miR-205 by real-time RT-PCR (qPCR), in 35 oral cavity and oropharynx squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) samples and 10 non-neoplastic oral mucosa controls, to determine possible associations between the expression of these miRNAs and clinical and pathological features of these tumors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We observed downregulation of miR-200b and miR-203 in 60.0% and 71.4% of the samples, respectively. Upregulation of miR-138 and miR-183 was observed in 50.0% of the samples. Downregulation of let-7a was associated with perineural invasion. Upregulation of miR-138, miRNA-145, and miR-205 was associated with advanced tumor stages, vascular invasion, and lymph node metastasis, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study provides evidence of the expression of miRNAs associated with stem cell regulation in oral cavity and oropharynx SCC and the association of these miRNAs with clinical and pathological features of these tumors.
authors: International Research Center, A.C. Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.|Department of Anatomic Pathology, A.C. Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors: Bárbara de Lima
authors: BL
authors: Brito
authors: Department of General Pathology, Dental School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors: Silvia Vanessa
authors: SV
authors: Lourenço
authors: International Research Center, A.C. Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors: Aline Santos
authors: AS
authors: Damascena
authors: Department of Head and Neck Surgery and Otorhinolaryngology, AC Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors: Luiz Paulo
authors: LP
authors: Kowalski
authors: Department of Anatomic Pathology, A.C. Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.|Department of General Pathology, Dental School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors: Fernando Augusto
authors: FA
authors: Soares
authors: International Research Center, A.C. Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. cmccamillo@gmail.com.|Department of Anatomic Pathology, A.C. Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. cmccamillo@gmail.com.
authors: Cláudia Malheiros
authors: CM
authors: Coutinho-Camillo
mesh_terms: D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D015536:Down-Regulation; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009959:Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D015854:Up-Regulation
chemical_list: D035683:MicroRNAs
keywords: miRNAs; oral cavity and oropharynx squamous cell carcinoma; real-time PCR; stem cell