Prognostic significance of neural stem cell markers, Nestin and Musashi-1, in oral squamous cell carcinoma: expression pattern of Nestin in the precancerous stages of oral squamous epithelium

Background Besides the tissue-specific stem cell markers, neural and hematopoietic stem cell markers were found to play an important role in carcinogenesis. Based on this background, we have investigated the expression pattern and prognostic significance of neural stem cell markers, Nestin and Musas...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Clinical oral investigations 2015-07, Vol.19 (6), p.1251-1260
Main Authors: Ravindran, Gokulan, Devaraj, Halagowder
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biomarkers, Tumor - metabolism
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - metabolism
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - pathology
Cell Transformation, Neoplastic
Dentistry
Female
Fluorescent Antibody Technique
Humans
Immunohistochemistry
Male
Medicine
Mouth Neoplasms - metabolism
Mouth Neoplasms - pathology
Neoplasm Staging
Nerve Tissue Proteins - metabolism
Nestin - metabolism
Original Article
Precancerous Conditions - metabolism
Precancerous Conditions - pathology
Prognosis
RNA-Binding Proteins - metabolism
Survival Rate
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Summary:Background Besides the tissue-specific stem cell markers, neural and hematopoietic stem cell markers were found to play an important role in carcinogenesis. Based on this background, we have investigated the expression pattern and prognostic significance of neural stem cell markers, Nestin and Musashi-1, in oral cancer. Methods We used immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence analyses to study the expression pattern and correlation between Nestin and Musashi-1 in oral squamous cell carcinoma. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to construct overall and disease-free survival curves, and the differences were calculated using log-rank test. Results Nestin expression was gradually increased in the transformation stages of oral cancer. Both Nestin and Musashi-1 expressions were associated with higher stage and poorly differentiated status of oral carcinoma. Interestingly, Nestin and Musashi-1 double positive cases showed statistically highly significant correlation with poorer survival of oral carcinoma patients. Conclusions Expression of Nestin in the preneoplastic lesions indicates its role in the transformation of oral squamous epithelium. Clinicopathological and survival analyses suggest that Nestin and Musashi-1 might be associated with invasion, differentiation and poorer survival in oral squamous cell carcinoma. In addition to their role as independent prognostic indicators, Nestin and Musashi-1 double positivity can be used to select high-risk cases for effective therapy and this is the novel finding of this study. Clinical relevance Nestin and Musashi-1 are found to be independent prognostic markers of oral cancer, and they might be used as molecular targets for effective therapy.
ISSN:1432-6981
1436-3771
DOI:10.1007/s00784-014-1341-z