Clinical significance of kallikrein-related peptidase-4 in oral cancer.

Kallikrein-related-peptidase-4 (KLK4), a serine protease originally discovered in developing tooth with broad target sequence specificity, serves vital functions in dental enamel formation. KLK4 is involved in degradation of extracellular matrix proteins and it is thought that this proteolytic activity could also promote tumor invasion and metastasis. Recent studies have associated KLK4 expression with tumor progression and clinical outcome, particularly in prostate and ovarian cancer.

In vitro evaluation of sialyl Lewis X relationship with head and neck cancer stem cells.

Objective: To evaluate in vitro the potential links between sialyl Lewis X (sLeX) and cancer stem cells (CSC) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). HNSCC is an aggressive malignancy with high mortality mainly due to metastasis. CSC have emerged as important players in HNSCC metastasis.

In vitro cytokine release profile: predictive value for metastatic potential in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas.

Background: Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) have devastating morbidity rates with mortality mainly because of metastasis.

Methods: Multiplex enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to assay a variety of cytokine levels secreted by a panel of stage-specific and anatomic site-specific primary, and recurrent and metastatic University of Michigan-HNSCC cell lines over a 72-hour time course.

Results: Conditioned medium from metastatic or recurrent HNSCC showed significantly higher amounts of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-6 receptor, tumor growth factor-beta (TGF-β) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) than nonmetastatic cells or normal oral keratinocytes.