The Potential of MET Immunoreactivity for Prediction of Lymph Node Metastasis in Early Oral Tongue Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Unveiling the best predictive models for early‑onset metastatic cancer: Insights and innovations (Review)

Cancer metastasis is the primary cause of cancer deaths. Metastasis involves the spread of cancer cells from the primary tumors to other body parts, commonly through lymphatic and vascular pathways. Key aspects include the high mutation rate and the capability of metastatic cells to form invasive tumors even without a large initial tumor mass. Particular emphasis is given to early metastasis, occurring in initial cancer stages and often leading to misdiagnosis, which adversely affects survival and prognosis. The present review highlighted the need for improved understanding and detection methods for early metastasis, which has not been effectively identified clinically. The present review demonstrated the clinicopathological and molecular characteristics of early‑onset metastatic types of cancer, noting factors such as age, race, tumor size and location as well as the histological and pathological grade as significant predictors. In conclusion, the present review underscored the importance of early detection and management of metastatic types of cancer and called for improved predictive models, including advanced techniques such as nomograms and machine learning, so as to enhance patient outcomes, acknowledging the challenges and limitations of the current research as well as the necessity for further studies.

The role of unconventional lymph node metastasis in neck recurrence among patients with tongue cancer

OBJECTIVES

Statistics on the rate of unconventional lymph node metastases (ULNM) at the time of one-stage radical surgery in tongue cancer patients. To assess whether an extended neck dissection group with additional removal of ULNs has a lower rate of neck recurrence compared to the traditional neck dissection group.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 336 patients with TSCC who underwent radical surgery were recruited and underwent traditional or extended neck dissection. Compared to traditional neck dissection, the aim of extended neck dissection is designed to additional resect ULNs.

RESULTS

In total, 180 patients underwent extended neck dissection, while 156 underwent traditional neck dissection. The incidence of ULNM was 11.67% (21/180) in patients treated with extended neck dissection. The incidence of ipsilateral neck recurrence was 9.49% and 0.56% in patients who underwent traditional and extended neck dissection, respectively (p = 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Extended neck dissection is effective for preventing neck recurrence in TSCC patients with ULNs.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

ULNM may be the main cause of neck recurrence after neck dissection in patients with tongue cancer. A better prognosis may be achieved by additional resection of ULNs on the basis of traditional neck dissection.

DEC1 is a potential marker of early metastasis in Oral squamous cell carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the role of differentiated embryonic-chondrocyte expressed gene 1 (DEC1) in early oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) metastasis.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

This study collected normal oral mucosas (NOM) and OSCC tissues from Xiangya Hospital for immunohistochemistry to detect the expressions of DEC1 and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) -related molecules. Correlation analysis between the expressions of the cytoplasmic DEC1 and EMT-related molecules was performed. Kaplan-Meier analysis was conducted to estimate Recurrence-free survival (RFS). After knocking down DEC1, cell migration and the expressions of EMT-related molecules were evaluated in HN6 cells by cell scratch assay, qRT-PCR, and western blot.

RESULTS

Immunohistochemistry showed that the subcellular location of DEC1 expression was different between OSCC and NOM tissues. The cytoplasmic expression of DEC1 in OSCC tissues was significantly higher than in NOM tissues, and its expression was highest in early OSCC patients with metastasis. In addition, the cytoplasmic DEC1 was negatively correlated with the E-cadherin and β-catenin, but positively correlated with the N-cadherin in OSCC and NOM tissues. In vitro assays showed that DEC1 knockdown inhibited cell migration and EMT in HN6 cells.

CONCLUSION

DEC1 could serve as a potential predictive marker for early OSCC metastasis.

Hsa_circ_0081069 facilitates tongue squamous cell carcinoma progression by modulating MAP2K4 expression via miR-634

It has been demonstrated that circular RNA (circRNA) is involved in the progression of tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC). The aim of this study was to investigate the intrinsic mechanism of circ_0081069 in TSCC progression. The expression levels of circ_00081069, miR-634, and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 4 (MAP2K4) in TSCC tissues and cells were detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Cell counting kit 8 assay, Edu assay, and flow cytometry assay were used to detect cell proliferation and cell cycle distribution. Transwell assay was used to detect cell migration and invasion abilities. Western blot analysis was performed to detect the protein expression. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was used to detect the targeting relationships of circ_0081069, miR-634 and MAP2K4. Immunohistochemical staining was used to measure MAP2K4-positive cells in tissues. The effect of circ_0081069 silencing on tumor formation in TSCC in vivo was explored by xenograft tumor assay. Circ_0081069 was highly expressed in TSCC tissues and cells. Silencing of circ_0081069 inhibited cell proliferation, cell cycle progress, cell migration and invasion in vitro, as well as hindered tumor growth in vivo. Mechanistically, circ_0081069 targeted miR-634 to negatively regulate miR-634 expression, and inhibition of miR-634 was able to weaken the inhibitory effect of circ_0081069 knockdown on proliferation, migration, and invasion of TSCC cells. MiR-634 targeted MAP2K4 and negatively regulated MAP2K4 expression, and overexpression of miR-634 inhibited TSCC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, while co-overexpression of MAP2K4 was able to reverse the effects of miR-634 in TSCC cells. Circ_0081069 is involved in the regulation of proliferation, cycle progress, migration, and invasion of TSCC cells through the miR-634/MAP2K4 axis and has the potential to serve as a diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target.

The neuropeptide calcitonin gene-related peptide links perineural invasion with lymph node metastasis in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Objective

Although perineural invasion (PNI) is well-known to be correlated with and able to predict lymph node metastasis (LNM) in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), the clinical and molecular correlation between PNI and LNM has not been elucidated, and preoperative biomarkers for LNM prediction in OSCC are urgently needed.

Materials and methods

The correlation between PNI and LNM was retrospectively evaluated using a cohort of 218 patients diagnosed with OSCC. Candidate neuropeptides were screened based on TCGA database and verified via immunohistochemistry and Western blot analyses. ELISA was used to detect calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in patient plasma. In vitro assays were used to explore the effects of CGRP on OSCC cells.

Results

OSCC patients with PNI had a higher incidence of LNM (69.86% vs. 26.2%, P < 0.0001, n = 218). CGRP expression was upregulated in the PNI niche and in metastatic lymph nodes, and was correlated with poor overall survival of OSCC patients. Preoperative plasma CGRP levels were higher in OSCC patients (n = 70) compared to healthy donors (n = 60) (48.59 vs. 14.58 pg/ml, P < 0.0001), and were correlated with LNM (P < 0.0001) and PNI (P = 0.0002). Preoperative plasma CGRP levels alone yielded an AUC value of 0.8088 to predict LNM, and CGRP levels combined with preoperative T stage reached an AUC value of 0.8590. CGRP promoted proliferation and migration abilities of OSCC cells, which could be antagonized by either pharmacological or genetic blockade of the CGRP receptor.

Conclusions

The neuropeptide CGRP links PNI and LNM in OSCC, and preoperative plasma CGRP levels can be used to predict LNM in OSCC.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-021-08998-9.