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Diabetes and oral oncogenesis
Eleftherios Vairaktaris1, Sofia Spyridonidou, Lambros Goutzanis
1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Athens Medical School, Kifissias and Perikleous Stavrou 9, Athens 11524, Greece. lvairakt@med.uoa.gr
Anticancer Research
|January 30, 2008
Summary
Diabetes promotes oral cancer development by activating specific cell signaling pathways, leading to increased cell proliferation without affecting apoptosis. This research highlights diabetes as a significant risk factor for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Endocrinology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a major global health concern.
- Epidemiological studies suggest a link between diabetes mellitus and increased OSCC risk.
- Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying this association is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of diabetes on signal transduction pathways during oral cancer development.
- To analyze the expression of key oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, and cell proliferation/apoptosis markers in an animal model of oral oncogenesis with diabetes.
Main Methods:
- An animal model was established using streptozotocin-induced diabetes and 4-nitroquinoline N-oxide for chemical carcinogenesis.
- Expression levels of various signaling molecules (e.g., EGFR, Ras/Raf/MAPK pathway components, p53, p16) and markers (Ki-67, Bax, Bcl-2) were analyzed.
- Sequential stages of oral cancer development were examined.
Main Results:
- Diabetes promoted the activation of the Ras/Raf/MAPK signal transduction pathway.
- This activation was primarily mediated by the induction of erbB2 and erbB3 receptors.
- Increased cell proliferation was observed in diabetic rats, while apoptosis levels remained unchanged during oncogenesis.
Conclusions:
- Diabetes mellitus appears to promote oral oncogenesis by enhancing cell proliferation via the Ras/Raf/MAPK pathway.
- The findings support diabetes as a risk factor for OSCC development.
- Further research into therapeutic strategies targeting these pathways in diabetic patients is warranted.
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