Expression Pattern of the Cancer Stem Cell Marker "Nestin" in Leukoplakia and Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Expression of HIF-1α and Nestin in oral squamous cell carcinoma and its association with vasculogenic mimicry

AIM

To evaluate and correlate the expression of HIF1-α and Nestin in tumor center and periphery of nonmetastatic, and recurrent oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and its association with vasculogenic mimicry.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

About 60 histopathological proven cases of OSCC with proper tumor center and periphery were collected. Among them 25 are nonmetastatic, 25 metastatic, and 10 recurrent cases of OSCC. Immunohistochemical analysis of HIF, Nestin, and CD31/PAS (periodic acid Schiff) was done.

RESULTS

Based on the extent of tumor cells stained, staining intensity and index score, expression of both HIF and Nestin was highly significant in periphery of metastatic OSCC with a P value of 0.003* and 0.001*. The total number of vessels expressed in nonmetastatic, metastatic, and recurrent OSCC was not significant but the overall expression of CD31/PAS was significant in the periphery of the tumor with a P value of 0.024*. Correlating the overall expression, HIF showed a positive relation with Nestin and CD31/PAS with a P value of 0.026* and 0.038* in nonmetastatic OSCC using Pearson's correlation coefficient analysis.

CONCLUSION

Based on the above results hypoxia plays a vital role in cancer stem cells maintenance with the formation of vessel-like structures by tumor cells at an early stage of cancer development.

EZB-ICR Cell Line: A New Established and Characterized Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cell Line From Tongue

Background:

Tongue cancer is one of the most aggressive forms of oral squamous cell carcinoma which needs more investigations. Herein, we aimed to establish and characterize a tongue cancer cell line.

Methods:

Tumor tissue was obtained from a 70-year-old woman with tongue cancer. The established cell line named as EZB-ICR and characterized for doubling time, expression of specific markers, HPV corporation and migration status using flow cytometry, immunofluorescence staining, multiplex PCR, and migration assay.

Results:

EZB-ICR was negative for expression of mesenchymal specific markers, cytokeratin19, pan-cytokeratin, vimentin and EPCAM, but was positive for S100 and Nestin. No appearance of human papilloma virus DNA was seen. The doubling time of EZB-ICR was 31 hours and migration assay confirmed its metastatic nature.

Conclusion:

To the best of our knowledge, EZB-ICR is the first tongue human cancer cell line established in Iran, and its features make it appropriate for cancer-based in vitro studies and contribute to more studies on tongue cancer.

Therapeutic implications of immunohistochemical expression pattern of the cancer stem cell marker (nestin) in basal and squamous cell carcinomas

Cancer stem cells (CSC) are populations of cells responsible for tumor initiation, progression and therapeutic resistance in many cancers. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the expression pattern and clinical significance of the stem cell marker nestin, in Squaous cell carcinoma (SCC) and basal cell carcinoma (BCC). The samples (23 cases of BCC and 22 cases of SCC) were immunohistochemically examined for the expression of nestin and its correlation with the corresponding clinical and pathological parameters. Nestin was expressed in four out of the 23 cases of BCC (17.4%) and was expressed in 10 out of the 22 cases of SCC (45.5%). Nestin expression between the two tumors was statistically significant (P = .042). Although a direct relationship was found between the tumor grade and nestin expression, the results were statistically insignificant (P = .495). The results of this study suggest that BCC and SCC may share some cellular origin but with different biologic behavior. The relation of nestin expression to the grade of SCC, although statistically insignificant, may suggest its role in predicting the biologic behavior of this tumor.