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Updated: May 25, 2026

Quantitative PCR-based Assay to Measure Sonic Hedgehog Signaling in Cellular Model of Ciliogenesis
Published on: January 31, 2025
Expression of hedgehog signaling molecules as a prognostic indicator of oral squamous cell carcinoma
Yi-Fen Wang1, Chun-Ju Chang, Chin-Ping Lin
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
Background:
Recent studies have indicated hedgehog pathway plays a role in carcinogenesis of certain cancers. We investigated the clinical significance of its signaling components, including Sonic hedgehog (Shh), Patched (Ptch), and Gli-1, in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).
Methods:
By immunohistochemistry, we determined Shh, Ptch, and Gli-1 expression in surgical specimens from 40 patients with OSCC. The relationship between expression of these molecules and clinicopathologic variables were assessed by chi-square analysis. Statistical difference of survival was compared using log-rank test.
Results:
Ptch overexpression was associated with lymphatic metastasis (p = .028). Nuclear Gli-1 overexpression correlated with primary tumor size (p = .001), lymphatic metastasis (p = .011), and tumor recurrence (p = .008). Overexpression of Ptch (p = .020) or Gli-1 (p = .002) in OSCC indicated poor prognosis in the univariate survival analysis.
Conclusion:
Our results suggest sonic hedgehog (Shh) pathway plays an important role in OSCC progression and should be considered a potential therapeutic target.
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