Predictive Features and Potential Treatment Targets for Oral Tongue Cancer
Thesis event information
Date and time of the thesis defence
Place of the thesis defence
Markku Larmas auditorium (H1091) in Dentopolis
Topic of the dissertation
Predictive Features and Potential Treatment Targets for Oral Tongue Cancer
Doctoral candidate
DDS, MSc Amr Elseragy
Faculty and unit
University of Oulu Graduate School, Faculty of Medicine, Research Unit of Population Health
Subject of study
Dentistry - Oral Cancer
Opponent
PhD / Professor Karin Nylander, Umeå University
Custos
PhD / Professor Tuula Salo, University of Oulu
Predictive Features and Potential Treatment Targets for Oral Tongue Cancer
Oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC) stands as the most common malignancy in the oral cavity. It is characterized by its aggressive course and has the worst prognosis of all types of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) originating in the oral cavity region. For early-stage OTSCC, surgery is typically the standard treatment. On the other hand, for advanced cases, radiotherapy with or without chemo-, targeted, or immunotherapy is given depending on the tumor nature and patient´s general health condition.
Histopathologic prognostic features play an important role in evaluating the aggressiveness of many carcinomas. The World Health Organization (WHO) histopathologic grading system is commonly used to classify OTSCC and other head and neck cancers based on their histopathological characteristics. However, WHO grading as a predictive feature has been widely criticized due to its low predictive power, especially for early-stage OTSCC. Therefore, we suggested incorporating tumor budding (TB) into the WHO histopathologic grading system to improve its prognostic value in early-stage OTSCC. Based on our results, tumor budding (TB), worst pattern of invasion (WPOI) and tumor-stroma ratio (TSR) have shown promising prognostic value in early OTSCC. Moreover, Extensive research has shown that tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs) are associated with improved survival in early-stage oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC) by enhancing anti-tumor immunity. The absence of TLSs is significantly associated with high mortality; Thus, TLS formation may be a future approach to improving OTSCC patients’ survival.
In addition to utilizing histopathological parameters in improving the prediction of OSCC, potential signature proteins have been intensively examined by immuno-histochemistry, and none of those proteins have been identified so far in a clinical use. Stress-induced phosphoprotein 1 (STIP1) overexpression in OSCC is associated with shorter. cancer-specific survival, increased recurrence, and advanced clinical stages. This suggests that STIP1 could serve as a novel therapeutic target and be included in a biomarker panel for the prediction and diagnosis of OSCC.
Histopathologic prognostic features play an important role in evaluating the aggressiveness of many carcinomas. The World Health Organization (WHO) histopathologic grading system is commonly used to classify OTSCC and other head and neck cancers based on their histopathological characteristics. However, WHO grading as a predictive feature has been widely criticized due to its low predictive power, especially for early-stage OTSCC. Therefore, we suggested incorporating tumor budding (TB) into the WHO histopathologic grading system to improve its prognostic value in early-stage OTSCC. Based on our results, tumor budding (TB), worst pattern of invasion (WPOI) and tumor-stroma ratio (TSR) have shown promising prognostic value in early OTSCC. Moreover, Extensive research has shown that tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs) are associated with improved survival in early-stage oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC) by enhancing anti-tumor immunity. The absence of TLSs is significantly associated with high mortality; Thus, TLS formation may be a future approach to improving OTSCC patients’ survival.
In addition to utilizing histopathological parameters in improving the prediction of OSCC, potential signature proteins have been intensively examined by immuno-histochemistry, and none of those proteins have been identified so far in a clinical use. Stress-induced phosphoprotein 1 (STIP1) overexpression in OSCC is associated with shorter. cancer-specific survival, increased recurrence, and advanced clinical stages. This suggests that STIP1 could serve as a novel therapeutic target and be included in a biomarker panel for the prediction and diagnosis of OSCC.
Last updated: 23.1.2024