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Investigation of trefoil factor expression in saliva and oral mucosal tissues of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma

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Abstract

Objectives

The aims of our study were to determine levels of trefoil factor (TFF) peptides in saliva and oral mucosal tissues from patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), and to evaluate whether individual members of TFFs (TFF1, TFF2, and TFF3) might act as biomarkers of disease.

Materials and methods

Saliva samples were from 23 healthy subjects and 23 OSCC patients. Tissue samples were collected from 32 normal oral mucosa (NOM) and 32 OSCC biopsy specimens. ELISA and immunohistochemical methods were used to evaluate the expression of TFF1, TFF2, and TFF3 in saliva and oral mucosal tissues, respectively.

Results

Expression of TFF2 and TFF3 in oral mucosal tissues of OSCC patients was strongly downregulated when compared to healthy subjects (p < 0.001 and p = 0.002, respectively). However, there were no differences in levels of salivary TFF concentrations between OSCC patients and healthy subjects.

Conclusions

The present study extends previous observations, demonstrating the reduction of TFF2 and TFF3 expression in oral mucosal tissues of OSCC patients.

Clinical relevance

These findings suggest the clinical significance of TFF2 and TFF3 molecules as negative markers of tumor progression in OSCC. Quantification of TFF levels in saliva may not be optimal in terms of diagnostic or predictive value for OSCC derived from oral mucosa.

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Acknowledgments

This research work was supported by Khon Kaen University, the Danish Medical Research Council, and the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and the Victorian Government’s Operational Infrastructure Support Program, Australia. The authors would like to thank Professor Ebba Nexø (Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark) for research advice, Dr. Waranuch Pithipat (Department of Community Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry Khon Kaen University, Thailand) for statistical advice, and Inger Marie Jensen (Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark) for excellent technical assistance. The authors also thank Lars Thim (Department of Protein Engineering, Novo Nordisk A/S, Måløv, Denmark) for his collaboration.

Conflicts of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Oral Diagnosis, Faculty of Dentistry, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand

    Ponlatham Chaiyarit

  2. Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand

    Akasith Utrawichian

  3. Department of Clinical Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, The Centre for Research and Development of Medical Diagnostic Laboratories, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand

    Chanvit Leelayuwat

  4. Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand

    Patrawut Vatanasapt

  5. Registrar, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, National Dental Centre Singapore, 5 Second Hospital Avenue, Singapore, 168938, Singapore

    Nattharee Chanchareonsook

  6. Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Aarhus University Hospital, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark

    Mie Hessellund Samson

  7. Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, The Royal Children’s Hospital, Flemington Road, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia

    Andrew S. Giraud

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  1. Ponlatham Chaiyarit
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Correspondence to Ponlatham Chaiyarit.

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Chaiyarit, P., Utrawichian, A., Leelayuwat, C. et al. Investigation of trefoil factor expression in saliva and oral mucosal tissues of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma. Clin Oral Invest 16, 1549–1556 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00784-011-0667-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00784-011-0667-z

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