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Published on: April 22, 2019
Increased expression of nuclear factor E2 p45-related factor 2 (NRF2) in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas
Donnie R Stacy1, Kim Ely, Pierre P Massion
1Department of Radiation Oncology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, USA.
Nuclear factor E2 p45-related factor 2 (Nrf2) may serve as a biomarker for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Increased Nrf2 expression was observed in most HNSCC tumors, suggesting its potential for early disease detection.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) presents a significant health challenge.
- Phase II gene products may act as important biomarkers in HNSCC.
- Nuclear factor E2 p45-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a key regulator of phase II gene expression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate Nuclear factor E2 p45-related factor 2 (Nrf2) expression in HNSCC.
- To determine if Nrf2 can serve as a biomarker for early HNSCC detection.
Main Methods:
- Construction of a tissue microarray from 141 HNSCC biopsy cores and normal squamous mucosa from 7 patients.
- Utilizing immunohistochemistry to assess protein expression levels.
Main Results:
- Nrf2 expression was elevated in 91.5% of HNSCC tumors.
- Thioredoxin, a Nrf2-regulated gene product, showed elevated expression in 75% of tumors.
- Keap1, a regulator of Nrf2 degradation, was relatively overexpressed in HNSCC compared to normal mucosa.
Conclusions:
- Nuclear factor E2 p45-related factor 2 (Nrf2) shows potential as a candidate biomarker for HNSCC.
- Further research may validate Nrf2's role in HNSCC diagnostics.
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