Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 12, 2026

Establishment of a Clinic-based Biorepository
Published on: May 29, 2017
Biomarkers Correlating With the Development of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma From Leukoplakia
Daniel Giglio1,2, Divya Ganesh3, Bishwa Prakash Bhattarai4
1Department of Oncology, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
Background:
We assessed protein biomarkers expressed in oral leukoplakia (OL) that are associated with the risk of transformation into oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).
Methods:
Tissue sections of OL transforming into OSCC (leuko-ca), the corresponding OSCC and OL that did not progress to OSCC (leuko-nonca) were analyzed with global relative quantification to compare proteome profiles. Immunohistochemistry was performed to validate the expression of identified biomarkers.
Results:
The top enriched biological pathways in OL transforming into OSCC within 5-26 months after diagnosis (short duration [SD]-leuko-ca) compared with leuko-nonca were pathways regulating remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and lipid and cholesterol metabolism/transport. Kininogen-1, apolipoprotein E (ApoE), collagen alpha-1 (XVIII) chain (COL18A1), sortilin, and perlecan were the most downregulated proteins, whereas EEF1D was the most upregulated in SD-leuko-ca compared with leuko-nonca. Immunohistochemistry confirmed the expression of kininogen-1, ApoE, perlecan, and EEF1D in OL and OSCC. In OSCC compared with leuko-ca, enriched biological pathways involved keratinocyte and epithelial differentiation and immune response regulation.
Conclusion:
We identified biomarkers in OL that were associated with the risk of malignant transformation. Our study gives further support for the importance of the immune system, ECM remodeling, and lipoproteins and cholesterol metabolism in the progression of OL to OSCC.
More Related Videos
07:29Intramucosal Inoculation of Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells in Mice for Tumor Immune Profiling and Treatment Response Assessment
Published on: April 22, 2019
05:42Isolation of Cells with Morphological and Spatial Information from Oral Submucous Fibrosis Samples by Laser Capture Microdissection
Published on: August 11, 2023
Related Concept Videos
Assessment of the Mouth
Mouth Inspection
The inspection begins with visually examining the mouth for symmetry, color, and size.
Cellular Adaptation IV: Dysplasia and Metaplasia