Clinicopathological correlation of the degree of differentiation, tetraspanin expression, viral agents and cell proliferation in a large sample of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck region.

Abstract

More than 90% of malignant neoplasms of the head and neck are squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs). The histopathological diagnosis of head and neck SCC (HNSCC) is made according to criteria proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO). Recent studies show variants of HNSCC, not yet recognized by the WHO, whose diagnoses often depend on immunohistochemistry (IHC), in situ hybridization (ISH) and/or molecular genetics, which need to be identified to establish appropriate therapeutic protocols. Interestingly, with apparent restriction in specific anatomic sites, the HNSCC may have different degrees of neuroendocrine and squamous differentiation, association with viral agents human (papillomavirus [HPV] and Epstein-Barr virus [EBV]), as well as express (INK4 and Cip/Kip) or suffer loss (INI-1) of proteins involved in the control of cell proliferation, justifying a comprehensive study. In addition, recent studies have highlighted the role of tetraspanins, an important component of the exosomes (nanovesicles containing proteins, DNA, RNA), which appear to be associated with tumor progression and metastasis. Therefore, it is relevant that the relation of tetraspanins/HNSCC be studied. Studies of this nature represent a valuable opportunity to elucidate the molecular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of HNSCC and provide data for an appropriate classification, correlating them with the survival rates and aiming to support treatment planning and prognosis. Thus, the proposal of this project will be analyzed the degree of differentiation, tetraspanin expression, viral agents and cell proliferation by IHC, ISH and molecular genetics in a large sample of HNSCC (n= 500). (AU)