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Multi-photon Imaging of Tumor Cell Invasion in an Orthotopic Mouse Model of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Published on: July 25, 2011
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Deciphering the Worst Pattern of Invasion in Oral Cancer: Integrative Clinical, Pathological, and Multimodal
Yu-Wen Huang1, Ying-Ju Kuo2, Ming-Chi Chen3
1Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan.
Summary
Worst pattern of invasion-5 (WPOI-5) in oral cancer predicts poor survival and relapse. This study used advanced microscopy to reveal WPOI-5
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pathology
- Biomedical Optics
Background:
- Worst pattern of invasion-5 (WPOI-5) is a critical prognostic factor in oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC).
- Understanding the tumor microenvironment (TME) and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in WPOI-5 is crucial for predicting OCSCC progression.
- Multimodal nonlinear optical (MNLO) microscopy offers advanced capabilities for visualizing TME structures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prognostic implications of WPOI-5 in OCSCC using clinical data.
- To characterize the TME features associated with WPOI-5 using MNLO microscopy.
- To explore the role of WPOI-5 in OCSCC progression and potential therapeutic targeting.
Main Methods:
- Clinical data from 263 OCSCC patients were analyzed for overall survival and relapse-free survival (RFS).
- E-cadherin and N-cadherin expression were assessed at the tumor invasion front and WPOI-5 regions.
- MNLO microscopy (SHG, THG, 2-photon fluorescence, polarization-resolved SHG) was employed to analyze TME structural changes, collagen remodeling, and EMT features.
Main Results:
- WPOI-5 was significantly associated with unfavorable overall survival and RFS, and independently predicted poor RFS in multivariate analysis.
- WPOI-5 regions showed reduced E-cadherin and enhanced N-cadherin expression, indicating EMT and increased invasiveness.
- MNLO imaging revealed distinct TME structural organization in WPOI-5(+) samples, including altered collagen fiber structure, orientation, and increased cross-linking.
Conclusions:
- WPOI-5 is a significant independent predictor of poor prognosis in OCSCC.
- WPOI-5 is associated with EMT and altered TME, contributing to OCSCC aggressiveness.
- Integrated MNLO microscopy and clinical data analysis provide mechanistic insights into WPOI-5, supporting risk stratification and therapeutic strategies.
