title: HES1 mRNA expression is associated with survival in sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In squamous cell carcinoma of the pharynx and larynx, NOTCH1 downstream signaling has been shown to be activated. The NOTCH1 signaling pathway has not been examined in detail for sinonasal squamous cell carcinomas (SNSCCs). The aim of this study was to evaluate NOTCH1 signaling by mRNA expression analysis and to examine the occurrence of NOTCH1 mutations in SNSCC.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a retrospective study, we analyzed tissues from 44 SNSCCs and 56 head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) at other locations. Expression of NOTCH1, NOTCH3, HES1, HEY1, and JAG1 mRNA were measured by using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (q-rtPCR). In SNSCC, NOTCH1 mutations were evaluated with sequencing of seven selected exons.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Expression of NOTCH1, HEY1, and JAG1 at the mRNA level were significantly higher in tumor tissue compared with normal tissue. In SNSCC, the subgroup of patients with high expression (5th quintile) of HES1 mRNA was associated with better survival (P = .04); however these patients with high expression of HES1 mRNA had also a more favorable tumor stage and grade and more unfavorable resections representing potential confounders.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Key components of NOTCH1 are upregulated at the mRNA level in HNSCCs. The mechanism, clinical significance, and potential therapeutic options should therefore be further evaluated.
authors: Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany. Electronic address: markus.wirth@tum.de.
authors: Markus
authors: M
authors: Wirth
authors: Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany.
authors: Johannes
authors: J
authors: Doescher
authors: Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
authors: Daniel
authors: D
authors: Jira
authors: Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
authors: Melanie Annemarie
authors: MA
authors: Meier
authors: Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
authors: Guido
authors: G
authors: Piontek
authors: Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany.
authors: Rudolf
authors: R
authors: Reiter
authors: Division of Neuropathology, Institute of Pathology, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
authors: Jürgen
authors: J
authors: Schlegel
authors: Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
authors: Anja
authors: A
authors: Pickhard
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000235:genetics* / Q000401:mortality; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009154:Mutation; D010255:Paranasal Sinus Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000401:mortality; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015398:Signal Transduction; D016019:Survival Analysis; D000072056:Transcription Factor HES-1 / Q000235:genetics*; D015854:Up-Regulation
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D000072056:Transcription Factor HES-1; C078493:HES1 protein, human