Abstract 596: DKK3 expression and its function in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

In this study, 90 cases of HNSCC tissue samples, which were obtained from Okayama University hospital with written informed consent, for immunohistochemistry to examine DKK3 protein expression. The protein expression status was scored as positive or negative. Pearson's Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test were used to evaluate the correlation between the DKK3 protein expression and clinicopathological characteristics. Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed to determine the survival analysis. For functional analyses, HNSCC-derived cells were used. Gastric and colorectal cancer cell lines were also used for comparison. DKK3 mRNA expression was checked by RT-PCR, and then RNAi was performed in DKK3-expressing cells in order to inspect the effect of DKK3 knockdown on cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. DKK3 protein expression was observed 76 cases out of 90 cases (84.4%). The expression was observed in the cytoplasm and cellular membrane of the cancer cells. Small vessels around the cancer nests were also positive. Intriguingly, DKK3 positive patients showed significantly shorter disease free survival (p=0.038) and overall survival (p=0.155). And DKK3 negative patients did not show metastasis. DKK3 mRNA expression was detected only in HNSCC derived cells, whereas that was not observed in gastric or colorectal cancer cells. DKK3 knockdown by siRNA transfection in HNSCC cells resulted in significant reduction of cellular migration and invasion. Western blotting revealed th...
Source: Cancer Research - Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Tags: Molecular and Cellular Biology Source Type: research