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Published on: March 26, 2018
Reduction of syndecan-1 expression during lip carcinogenesis
A Martínez1, M L Spencer, U Brethauer
1Department of Oral Pathology, School of Dentistry, University of Concepción, Casilla 2236, Concepción, Chile. almartin@udec.cl
Summary
Syndecan-1 expression decreases as lip cancer progresses from normal tissue to actinic cheilitis and squamous cell carcinoma. This reduction suggests syndecan-1 may serve as a biomarker for lip malignant transformation.
Area of Science:
- Oral pathology
- Oncology
- Molecular biology
Background:
- Actinic cheilitis (AC) is a precancerous oral lesion with potential to develop into lip squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).
- Syndecan-1, a proteoglycan, influences cell behavior and is often downregulated in malignant cells.
- Aberrant syndecan-1 expression in stromal cells can be induced by malignant epithelial cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the changes in syndecan-1 expression during lip carcinogenesis.
- To compare syndecan-1 levels in normal lip (NL), AC, and well-differentiated lip SCC.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemical staining for syndecan-1 was performed on biopsies.
- Samples included normal lip vermillion (n=19), AC (n=23), and lip SCC (n=24).
Main Results:
- Syndecan-1 expression was significantly lower in AC and lip SCC compared to NL (P < 0.05).
- Lip SCC showed a significant reduction in syndecan-1 compared to AC (P < 0.0001).
- In lip SCC, overlying epithelium had increased syndecan-1 compared to the tumor itself, but was reduced versus NL and AC.
Conclusions:
- Epithelial syndecan-1 expression diminishes progressively during lip carcinogenesis (NL > AC > lip SCC).
- Syndecan-1 shows potential as a valuable biomarker for detecting malignant transformation in lip tissues.
