Gene Expression Signatures of Lymph Node Metastasis in Oral Cancer: Molecular Characteristics and Clinical Significances

Overview

Journal Curr Cancer Ther Rev

Publisher Bentham Science Publishers

Specialty Oncology

Date 2011 Jun 29

PMID 21709736

Citations 7

Authors

Xiqiang Liu

Antonia Kolokythas

Jianguang Wang

Hongzhang Huang

Xiaofeng Zhou

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Even though lymph node metastasis accounts for the vast majority of cancer death in patients with oral cancer (OC), the molecular mechanisms of lymph node metastasis remain elusive. Genome-wide microarray analyses and functional studies in vitro and in vivo, along with detailed clinical observations, have identified a number of molecules that may contribute to lymph node metastasis. These include lymphangionenic cytokines, cell adhesion molecules, basement membrane-interacting molecules, matrix enzymes and relevant downstream signaling pathways. However, defined gene signatures from different studies are highly variable, which hinders their translation to clinically relevant applications. To date, none of the identified signatures or molecular biomarkers has been successfully implemented as a diagnostic or prognostic tool applicable to routine clinical practice. In this review, we will first introduce the significance of lymph node metastasis in OC, and clinical/experimental evidences that support the underlying molecular mechanisms. We will then provide a comprehensive review and integrative analysis of the existing gene expression studies that aim to identify the metastasis-related signatures in OC. Finally, the remaining challenges will be discussed and our insights on future directions will be provided.

Citing Articles

A robust and interpretable gene signature for predicting the lymph node status of primary T1/T2 oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma.

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PMID: 34569064 PMC: 8760163. DOI: 10.1002/ijc.33828.

Differentially Expressed Genes in Matched Normal, Cancer, and Lymph Node Metastases Predict Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Breast Cancer.

Kim G, Kim N, Lee J, Park M, Kang K Appl Immunohistochem Mol Morphol. 2020; 28(2):111-122.

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Systematic analysis of genes involved in oral cancer metastasis to lymph nodes.

Zhang X, Zhang L, Tan X, Lin Y, Han X, Wang H Cell Mol Biol Lett. 2018; 23:53.

PMID: 30459815 PMC: 6237046. DOI: 10.1186/s11658-018-0120-2.

Anticancer Effects of Alcohol Extract on Oral Squamous Carcinoma Cells.

Wang W, Hsuan K, Chu L, Lee C, Tyan Y, Chen Z Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2017; 2017:5364010.

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The Association between Abnormal Long Noncoding RNA MALAT-1 Expression and Cancer Lymph Node Metastasis: A Meta-Analysis.

Wang J, Pan Y, Wu J, Zhang C, Huang Y, Zhao R Biomed Res Int. 2016; 2016:1823482.

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