Predicts the Prognosis of Patients with Oral Leukoplakia.

Background: Oral leukoplakia is the most common oral mucosal disease. A proportion of such cases can progress to oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The mechanism of oral leukoplakia malignant transformation is still unclear.

Antimony-Doped Tin Oxide Nanocrystals for Enhanced Photothermal Theragnosis Therapy of Cancers.

The doped semiconductor nanocrystal with free holes in valence band exhibits strong near-infrared (NIR) local surface plasmon resonance effects, which is essential for photothermal agents. Herein, the hydrophilic Sb doped SnO nanocrystals were successfully prepared by a simple hydrothermal synthesis method. The doping makes the Sb doped SnO nanocrystals possessing defect structures.

A Novel Tumor Suppressor SPINK5 Serves as an Independent Prognostic Predictor for Patients with Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Background: In our previous study, serine protease inhibitor Kazal-type 5 (SPINK5), which encodes the product of serine protease inhibitor lymphoepithelial Kazal-type-related inhibitor (LEKTI) was found to be down-regulated in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) using oligonucleotide microarrays. However, the function and clinical implications of SPINK5/LEKTI remain obscure in HNSCC.

Methods: The endogenous expression level of SPINK5/LEKTI was further verified in 9 HNSCC cell lines and HNSCCs by means of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, real-time PCR, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry.

TGFβ3-mediated induction of Periostin facilitates head and neck cancer growth and is associated with metastasis.

The matrix-specific protein periostin (POSTN) is up-regulated in human cancers and associated with cancer growth, metastasis and angiogenesis. Although the stroma of cancer tissues is the main source of POSTN, it is still unclear how POSTN plays a role to facilitate the interplay between cancer cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in head and neck cancer (HNC), thereby promoting tumorigenesis via modifying the tumor microenvironment. Herein, we have performed studies to investigate POSTN and its role in HNC microenvironment.

Establishment of a highly metastatic buccal squamous cell carcinoma cell line from a Sprague-Dawley Rat.

Objectives: The incidence of buccal squamous cell carcinoma (buccal SCC) is considered to be the second highest out of all oral cancers, but the unsatisfactory in vivo tumorigenicity and metastatic potential of the widely used cell lines have greatly delayed studies on the mechanisms of tumor progression. This study aimed to establish a highly metastatic buccal SCC cell line, which may serve a useful tool in buccal SCC research.

Materials And Methods: Buccal SCC was induced by 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide (4NQO) in Sprague-Dawley rats.

Parathyroid hormone-related protein serves as a prognostic indicator in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: In our previous study, parathyroid hormone-like hormone (PTHLH) which encodes parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) was revealed to be up-regulated in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) compared with paired apparently normal surgical margins using microarray method. However, the function and prognostic indicators of PTHLH/PTHrP in OSCC remain obscure.

Methods: The mRNA levels of PTHLH and its protein levels were investigated in 9 OSCC cell lines and in 36 paired OSCC specimens by real-time PCR and western blotting.

TGM3, a candidate tumor suppressor gene, contributes to human head and neck cancer.

Background: In our previous study using oligonucleotide microarrays, we revealed that transglutaminase 3 (TGM3) was remarkably down-regulated in head and neck cancer (HNC). However, the potential of TGM3 as a useful biomarker or molecular target for HNC is unclear.

Methods: The transcriptional and post-translational status of TGM3 in HNC cell lines and specimens was detected using real-time PCR and western blot analysis.