Expression status of Zic family member 2 as a prognostic marker for oral squamous cell carcinoma

J Cancer Res Clin Oncol. 2010 Apr;136(4):553-9. doi: 10.1007/s00432-009-0689-y. Epub 2009 Sep 27.

Abstract

Purpose: To determine the involvement of ZIC2 in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

Methods: ZIC2 mRNA and protein expression in primary OSCCs (n = 74), oral premalignant lesions (OPLs, n = 20) and five OSCC-derived cell lines (HSC-2, HSC-3, OK-92, H1, and Sa3) were analyzed by quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, Western blot and immunohistochemistry (IHC). In addition, we evaluated the correlation between ZIC2 IHC scores in OSCCs and the clinicopathologic status.

Results: Significant up-regulation of ZIC2 was detected in OSCC-derived cell lines (P < 0.05), primary OSCCs (P < 0.05) and OPLs (P < 0.05) compared with normal counterparts. Among the clinical variables analyzed, ZIC2 expression was associated with the histopathologic types of OSCC. Furthermore, the survival rates differed significantly between ZIC2-positive cases and ZIC2-negative cases.

Conclusions: These results suggested that ZIC2 expression is correlated with the differentiation type of OSCC and diagnosis and might be a potential prognostic indicator and therapeutic target for OSCCs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / genetics
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / diagnosis*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / pathology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mouth Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Mouth Neoplasms / genetics
  • Mouth Neoplasms / pathology
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism*
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Transcription Factors
  • ZIC2 protein, human