MicroRNA-mediated extracellular matrix remodeling in squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity.

Background: We evaluated microRNAs and extracellular matrix component profiles in squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity (OSCC) in comparison to healthy mucosa.

Methods: Retrospective study investigating 64 microRNAs related to oncogenic process and to constituents of the extracellular matrix. We also performed immunohistochemical assays for molecules involved in the same biological processes.

Cancer-associated fibroblast regulation by microRNAs promotes invasion of oral squamous cell carcinoma.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the role of microRNA-mediated remodeling of the extracellular matrix in the process of tumor invasion of oral squamous cell carcinoma and to evaluate its relationship with the prognosis of these patients. This was a retrospective study on material from the paraffin blocks of patients operated on for oral squamous cell carcinoma, in addition to a group of healthy oral mucosa samples of paired patients. miR-1-3p, miR-133-3p, and miR-21-5p were differentially expressed between the superficial and deep tumor groups.