Molecular expression of Forkhead Box C2 gene (FOXC2) and Prospero homeobox gene (PROX-1) in oral squamous carcinoma and their correlation with clinicopathological parameters: A prospective cohort study.
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background: Forkhead box C2 gene (FOXC2) acts as an epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) inducer while Prospero homeobox 1 gene (PROX-1) function as a regulator of lymphangiogenesis and angiogenesis in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). It is presumed that PROX-1 has both tumour-suppressive and oncogenic effects. The main aim of this study is to evaluate the role of PROX-1 and FOXC2 in the invasion and progression of OSCC cases and to correlate their expression with various histopathological parameters.
Materials and methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted in a total sample size of 52 OSCC tissues and histologically tumour-free margins of 20. mRNA expression and protein levels of FOXC2 and PROX-1 were evaluated using real-time PCR and sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay techniques. Chi-square analysis and correlation analysis were done. Kaplan-Meier analysis evaluated the survival rate.
Results: Mean Ct values of FOXC2 were 1.915 ± 0.519 and PROX-1 was 0.061 ± 0.173. There was a significant 2-fold increase in the FOXC2 expression and a 0.5-fold decrease in the PROX-1 expression in OSCC tissue. Increased levels of FOXC2 protein and decreased levels of PROX-1 with a mean difference of 1.64 ± 0.73 ng/ml and 1.27 ± 0.33 ng/ml were observed in OSCC compared to histologically tumour-free margins. A significant positive correlation was found between the FOXC2 expression and clinicopathological parameters such as staging, perineural invasion (PNI) and lymphovascular invasion (LVI) whereas PROX-1 showed a significant negative correlation with histopathological parameters such as staging, PNI, LVI and tumour staging. There was a significant positive correlation between the PROX-1 and histologically tumour-free margins in disease-free survival patients (P-value = 0.03).
Conclusion: FOXC2 and PROX-1 expressions were correlated with lymphovascular invasion, OSCC tumour staging and PNI. Thus, FOXC2 and PROX-1 could be possible therapeutic targets in the treatment of OSCC that can inhibit the EMT in OSCC and thereby favouring a better prognosis.
期刊介绍:
The journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology [ISSN:print-(0973-029X, online-1998-393X)] is a tri-annual journal published on behalf of “The Indian Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathologists” (IAOMP). The publication of JOMFP was started in the year 1993. The journal publishes papers on a wide spectrum of topics associated with the scope of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, also, ensuring scientific merit and quality. It is a comprehensive reading material for the professionals who want to upgrade their diagnostic skills in Oral Diseases; allows exposure to newer topics and methods of research in the Oral-facial Tissues and Pathology. New features allow an open minded thinking and approach to various pathologies. It also encourages authors to showcase quality work done by them and to compile relevant cases which are diagnostically challenging. The Journal takes pride in maintaining the quality of articles and photomicrographs.