FOXP3 subcellular localization predicts recurrence in oral squamous cell carcinoma
Donald T Weed1, Gail Walker, Adriana C De La Fuente
1Department of Otolaryngology, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States of America ; Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, United States of America.
Plos One
|August 27, 2013
Summary
Forkhead box protein P3 (FOXP3) localization, not overall expression, predicts oral cancer recurrence. Nuclear FOXP3 indicates higher recurrence risk, while cytoplasmic FOXP3 suggests a better prognosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma patients.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Forkhead box protein P3 (FOXP3) in tumor-infiltrating CD4(+) T cells typically suppresses anti-tumor immunity.
- Previous studies on FOXP3's prognostic value in cancer have yielded conflicting results.
- The role of FOXP3 in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) prognosis remains unclear due to contradictory findings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prognostic significance of FOXP3 intracellular localization in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).
- To determine if FOXP3's subcellular localization, rather than overall expression, correlates with tumor recurrence.
- To identify a reliable predictor for OSCC recurrence based on FOXP3 expression patterns.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of FOXP3 intracellular localization (nuclear vs. cytoplasmic) in tumor-infiltrating CD4(+) T cells from OSCC patients.
- Correlation of FOXP3 localization patterns with tumor recurrence rates within a 3-year timeframe.
- Evaluation of the ratio between cytoplasmic FOXP3 (cFOXP3) and nuclear FOXP3 (nFOXP3) as a prognostic marker.
Main Results:
- Overall FOXP3 expression in tumor-infiltrating CD4(+) T cells did not correlate with OSCC tumor recurrence.
- Nuclear localization of FOXP3 (nFOXP3) was significantly associated with tumor recurrence within 3 years.
- Cytoplasmic localization of FOXP3 (cFOXP3) was linked to a reduced likelihood of OSCC recurrence.
Conclusions:
- The intracellular localization of FOXP3, not its overall expression, is a critical prognostic parameter in OSCC.
- Elevated levels of the cFOXP3/nFOXP3 ratio in tumor-infiltrating CD4(+) T cells can predict a lower risk of OSCC recurrence.
- This finding offers a potential new biomarker for predicting oral squamous cell carcinoma recurrence.
