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Updated: Apr 16, 2026
Isolation and Characterization of a Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Subpopulation Having Stem Cell Characteristics
Published on: May 11, 2016
DLEC1 is not silenced solely by promoter methylation in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Didem Seven1, Elif Yavuz1, Erkan Kilic2
1Cerrahpaşa Medical Faculty, Department of Medical Biology, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey.
Abstract:
Different types of genetic and epigenetic changes are associated with HNSCC. The molecular mechanisms of HNSCC carcinogenesis are still undergoing intensive investigation. The Deleted in lung and esophageal cancer 1 (DLEC1) gene is frequently silenced by methylation in various kinds of cancer. However, there is no data in the literature investigating the DLEC1 gene in the HNSCC. Tumor tissues from 97 patients were analyzed by real-time quantitative RT-PCR and DLEC1 expression levels were correlated with the methylation of the DLEC1 gene promoter. A statistically significant down-regulation was observed in tumors compared to non-cancerous tissue samples (p = 0.00). However, this down-regulation was not directly associated with hypermethylation of the promoter (p ≥ 0.05). Our results indicate that the DLEC1 gene may play an important role in the development of HNSCC. However, its down-regulation is not associated with the clinicopathological parameters and is not solely under the control of promoter methylation.
Insights
The Deleted in lung and esophageal cancer 1 (DLEC1) gene is down-regulated in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). This gene
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Genetics
Background:
- Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) involves complex genetic and epigenetic alterations.
- The Deleted in lung and esophageal cancer 1 (DLEC1) gene is known to be silenced by methylation in several cancer types.
- The role of DLEC1 in HNSCC development remains unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression levels of the DLEC1 gene in HNSCC tumors.
- To determine the correlation between DLEC1 gene expression and promoter methylation in HNSCC.
- To explore the potential role of DLEC1 in HNSCC pathogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of DLEC1 gene expression in 97 HNSCC tumor tissues using real-time quantitative RT-PCR.
- Correlation of DLEC1 expression levels with DLEC1 gene promoter methylation status.
Main Results:
- A statistically significant down-regulation of DLEC1 expression was observed in HNSCC tumors compared to non-cancerous tissues (p = 0.00).
- The observed down-regulation of DLEC1 was not directly associated with hypermethylation of its promoter (p ≥ 0.05).
- DLEC1 down-regulation did not correlate with clinicopathological parameters of HNSCC.
Conclusions:
- The DLEC1 gene may play a significant role in the development of HNSCC.
- DLEC1 down-regulation in HNSCC is not solely controlled by promoter methylation.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the precise mechanisms underlying DLEC1 regulation and its functional role in HNSCC.
