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A Model for Perineural Invasion in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Published on: January 5, 2017
Expression of PTEN and its correlation with proliferation marker Ki-67 in head and neck cancer
Malik W Ahmed1, Mahmood A Kayani1, Ghulam Shabbir2
1Cancer Genetics Lab, Department of Biosciences, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Islamabad - Pakistan.
Introduction:
PTEN is part of large family of tyrosine phosphatases and has been found inactivated in a wide variety of human cancers.
Aims:
In the present study we have tried to determine the association of the expression patterns of this gene with carcinogenesis.
Methods:
First, a systematic review was carried out to ascertain the importance of the PTEN gene and its role in carcinogenesis. In the second phase, a case-control study was designed using different expression analysis techniques. Expression of PTEN mRNA was analyzed using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).
Results:
Significantly downregulated expression of PTEN was observed in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) compared to adjacent normal-tissue controls. These results were confirmed with quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Significant downregulation of the gene was observed in HNC patients compared to adjacent normal-tissue controls. PTEN expression was correlated with different histopathological parameters of the study cohort by Spearman's correlation coefficient and a significant negative correlation was observed with pT stage (r = -0.271*; p<0.02) and grade (r = -0.228*; p<0.02) of HNC tissues. Furthermore, the expression variations of PTEN were correlated with the expression pattern of the proliferation marker Ki-67. Significantly (p<0.008) upregulated expression of Ki-67 was observed in HNC patients compared with adjacent normal-tissue controls This upregulation of Ki-67 was confirmed at the protein level by immunohistochemistry in HNC patients. When Spearman's correlation was carried out a significant negative correlation was observed between PTEN and Ki-67 (r = -0.230*; p<0.03).
Conclusions:
Our data suggest that downregulation of PTEN and overexpression of Ki-67 may contribute to the initiation and progression of HNC.
Insights
PTEN gene downregulation and Ki-67 overexpression are linked to head and neck cancer (HNC) development. This suggests their roles in HNC initiation and progression.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- PTEN, a tyrosine phosphatase, is frequently inactivated in various human cancers.
- Understanding PTEN's role in carcinogenesis is crucial for cancer research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between PTEN gene expression patterns and head and neck cancer (HNC).
- To explore the correlation of PTEN expression with histopathological parameters and proliferation markers in HNC.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review to establish PTEN's significance in carcinogenesis.
- Case-control study employing reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) for PTEN mRNA analysis.
- Immunohistochemistry to assess Ki-67 protein expression.
Main Results:
- Significantly downregulated PTEN mRNA expression was observed in HNC tissues compared to normal controls.
- PTEN expression showed a negative correlation with pT stage and grade in HNC.
- Upregulated Ki-67 expression, a proliferation marker, was confirmed in HNC tissues at both mRNA and protein levels.
- A significant negative correlation was found between PTEN and Ki-67 expression.
Conclusions:
- Downregulation of PTEN and overexpression of Ki-67 are implicated in the initiation and progression of head and neck cancer.
- These findings highlight PTEN and Ki-67 as potential biomarkers for HNC.
