[Expressions and clinical significance of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and uPA receptor (uPAR) in tongue squamous cell carcinoma].

Abstract

PURPOSE:

To study the expressions and clinical significance of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and uPA receptor (uPAR) in tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC).

METHODS:

The expressions of uPA and uPAR at protein level were examined in 74 cases of TSCC and 15 cases of normal peripheral tissues around cancer (as control) by strep avidin-biotin complex (SABC) immunohistochemical technique. The relationship between the expressions of uPA and uPAR was evaluated by the Spearman's rank correlation test. Mann-Whitney U-test was used to examine the association of these factors with conventional clinical pathological factors. Pearson's Chi-square test was used to analyze the relationship between uPA, uPAR and cervical lymph node status.

RESULTS:

The rates of the positive expression in TSCC of uPA and uPAR were 71.6% and 64.8% respectively, and a positive relationship between expression of uPA and uPAR was found (P<0.05). There was significant correlation between the level of uPA expression and TNM stage or cervical lymph node status, either between the level of uPAR expression and cervical lymph node status. Pathological grade was not significantly related to the level of uPA expression. Pathological grade and TNM stage were not significantly related to the level of uPAR expression. TSCC cases with concurrent positive expression of these proteins revealed significant higher tendency of cervical lymph node metastasis than those with concourse negative expression (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS:

The expression of uPA and uPAR increased in TSCC, and uPA, uPAR may contribute significantly to TSCC invasion and metastasis.

• Authors: Qiu-xu Wang, Tian-xiang Wang, Chang-fu Sun, Jing Zhang
• Journal: Shanghai kou qiang yi xue = Shanghai journal of stomatology (Shanghai Kou Qiang Yi Xue) Vol. 15 Issue 1 Pg. 85-7 (Feb 2006) ISSN: 1006-7248 [Print] China
• PMID: 16525618 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Receptors, Urokinase Plasminogen Activator
• Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator

Topics

• Carcinoma, Squamous Cell (metabolism, pathology)
• Case-Control Studies
• Humans
• Lymphatic Metastasis
• Receptors, Urokinase Plasminogen Activator (metabolism)
• Tongue Neoplasms (metabolism, pathology)
• Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator (metabolism)