Homeobox genes expression in oral squamous cells carcinoma: microarray analysis and validation by real time quantitative RT-PCR and in situ hibridization

Abstract

Oral squamous cell carcinoma is a frequent disease in Brasil; however, because early stage patients generally exhibit few symptoms, there are still a delay on diagnosis and a consequent decrease in 5 years survival index. Besides, histologically similar lesions may have different clinical behavior and response to treatment. Nowadays, scientific research are directed toward better diagnostic and prognostic molecular markers to oral squamous cell carcinoma, intending to directly contribute to diagnostic improvement, treatment specificity as well as the prognosis of the disease.In view of this, the present study intends to investigate the specific presence homeobox genes transcripts in oral squamous cell carcinoma. These genes may become relevant molecular markers of prognosis and/or tumoral aggressiveness. Still, different gene expression profile will be investigated in oral squamous cell carcinoma and non tumoral margins by microarray, correlating clinical and laboratorial parameters (disease stage or evolution), as well as the validation of the identified molecular markers by real time quantitative RT-PCR and in situ hybridization. So, the present work has the purpose of relating laboratorial findings to a more precise evaluation of homeobox genes expression pattern, suggesting their usefulness as possible prognostic and/or aggressiveness markers, what results in benefits for patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma. (AU)