Background: We have previously demonstrated altered SIRT gene family in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). In the present study we aimed to investigate whether the SIRT gene family was also altered in peripheral blood (PB) of patients with HNSCC and the possibility to be used as circulating biomarkers.
Patients and methods: The expression profiles of the 7 SIRT genes of PB leukocytes from 34 patients with HNSCC before and after surgery and 31 healthy individuals were investigated.
Results: In the cancer group, the expression level of SIRT1 was down-regulated (p<0.05); in contrast, SIRT6 and SIRT7 were significantly up-regulated (p<0.001). Patients with advanced-stage HNSCC had lower expression of SIRT1 and SIRT3. Recovery of SIRT6 and SIRT7 was observed in postoperative patients (p<0.005).
Conclusion: SIRT genes were altered in PB leukocytes of HNSCC patients and SIRT6 and SIRT7 are potential circulating prognostic markers for HNSCC.
Keywords: HNSCC; SIRT6; SIRT7; peripheral blood leukocytes; sirtuin genes.
Copyright© 2014 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. John G. Delinassios), All rights reserved.