4 research outputs found
Twist and snai1 expression in pharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma stroma is related to cancer progression
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a crucial process in tumorigenesis since tumor cells attain fibroblast-like features enabling them to invade to surrounding tissue. Two transcription factors, <it>TWIST </it>and <it>SNAI1</it>, are fundamental in regulating EMT.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Immunohistochemistry was used to study the expression of TWIST and SNAI1 in 109 pharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Tumors with intense stromal staining of TWIST relapsed more frequently (p = 0.04). Tumors with both positive TWIST and SNAI1 immunoreactivity in the stroma were at least Stage II (p = 0.05) and located more often in hypopharynx (p = 0.035). Tumors with negative immunostaining of TWIST and SNAI1 in the stromal compartment were smaller (T1-2) (p = 0.008), less advanced (SI-II) (p = 0.031) and located more often in the oropharynx (p = 0.007). Patients with negative SNAI1 and TWIST immunostaining in tumor stroma had a better 5-year disease-specific and overall survival (p = 0.037 and p = 0.014 respectively).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>TWIST and SNAI1 expression in stromal cells is associated with clinical and histopathological characteristics that indicate progressive disease. Negative expression of these EMT-promoting transcription factors predicts a better outcome.</p
Transcription factor snail1 expression and poor survival in pharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma
Snail1, a key regulator of epithelialmesenchymal
transition (EMT), plays an important role
in tumour progression. Previous studies of snail1 have
mainly focused on the epithelial tumour cells. The
objective of this study was to evaluate the expression of
snail1 protein in endothelial cells, stromal
myofibroblasts and malignant epithelial cells of
pharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (PSCC), as well
as its relation to clinicopathological features and
survival. One hundred and ten tissue microarray samples
were analyzed for snail1 expression using
immunohistochemistry. In endothelial cells snail1
expression was observed in 51 (48%) of 107 cases and it
predicted reduced disease specific survival (DSS)
(p=0.009). In 49 (46%) tumour samples snail1 immunostaining
was detected in stromal myofibroblasts and
there was a tendency to poorer DSS in that group
(p=0.067). Snail1 expression in endothelial cells and
stromal myofibroblasts is also associated with
hypopharyngeal tumours (p=0.01 and p=0.038
respectively), increasing T category (T3-4) (p=0.005,
p=0.037 respectively) and poorer general condition of
the patient (Karnofsky performance status score <70;
p=0.029, p=0.039 respectively). Moreover endothelial
expression correlated with advanced stage (III-IV)
(p=0.005) and poorer differentiation (grade 2-3;
p=0.012). In malignant epithelial cells snail1
immunostaining was detected in 75 of 110 cases (68%).
Expression of the protein was more common in
hypopharyngeal tumours (p=0.044). Snail1 positive tumours associated with a lower Karnofsky performance
status score (p=0.039) and regional failure (p=0.042).
Our findings indicate that snail1 protein expression in
endothelial cells and to some extent also in tumour
stromal myofibroblasts seems to be a predictor of poor
survival in PSCC. The presence of snail1 protein in
tumour microenvironment rather than in malignant
epithelial tumour cells may induce tissue remodelling
and tumour progression