Squamous Cell Carcinoma Antigen-encoding Genes SERPINB3/B4 as Potentially Useful Markers for the Stratification of HNSCC Tumours

Anticancer Res. 2018 Mar;38(3):1343-1352. doi: 10.21873/anticanres.12357.

Abstract

Background/aim: The squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCCA), encoded by the genes SERPINB3/B4, is a tumour marker produced by head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). We aimed to examine SERPINB3/B4 mRNA levels and its clinical significance in the therapeutic context.

Materials and methods: We retrieved mRNA expression levels, clinical, pathological and genomic data for 520 HNSCC from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA).

Results: HNSCC tumours express high levels of SERPINB3/B4 mRNA. SERPINB3 expression differs depending on Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection status, primary tumour location, grade and differentiation, extension to lymph nodes and extracapsular spread. Interestingly, we observed an association between SERPINB3/B4 and the presence of tumour immune infiltrate as well as the expression of the immune checkpoint regulators PD-L1/PD-L2 that depended on HPV status.

Conclusion: Our findings point to potential interest of SERPINB3/B4 for the stratification of HNSCC patients in the therapeutic context.

Keywords: SERPINB3/B4; TCGA; head & neck squamous cell carcinoma.

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, Neoplasm / genetics*
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / genetics*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / classification
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / diagnosis
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / genetics*
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Gene Ontology
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / classification
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Papillomavirus Infections / genetics
  • Papillomavirus Infections / virology
  • Serpins / genetics*

Substances

  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Serpins
  • squamous cell carcinoma-related antigen