ABSTRACT
Emerging evidence suggests the existence of a tumorigenic population of cancer cells that demonstrate stem cell-like properties. Cancer stem cells have been associated with tumor initiation and progression. The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether cancer stem cells play a functional role in the tumorigenesis of salivary gland tumors. 24 malignant, 24 benign salivary gland tumors, and seven normal salivary gland tissues were immunohistochemically stained for cancer stem cell markers ALDH1, CD44, CD24, and CD166. We scored the expressions of these proteins based on staining intensity and the ratio of positive cells. ALDH1 expression was down-regulated in malignant tumors (p = 0.034), while CD166 expression was upregulated (p = 0.002). CD44 and CD24 showed decreased expression in malignant tumors. Downregulation of ALDH expression by age also showed statistical significance (p = 0.007). ALDH1, CD166, CD44, and CD24 are potential stem cell markers for salivary gland tumors. Particularly CD166 and ALDH1 have a role in the pathogenesis and prognosis of these tumors. Loss of ALDH1 by aging may play an essential biological role in malignancy. The potential diagnostic role of ALDH1 and CD44 should be investigated.
Subject(s)
CD24 Antigen , Salivary Gland Neoplasms , Aldehyde Dehydrogenase 1 Family , Biomarkers , Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism , CD24 Antigen/metabolism , Humans , Hyaluronan Receptors/metabolism , Isoenzymes/metabolism , Neoplastic Stem Cells/metabolism , Prognosis , Retinal Dehydrogenase/metabolism , Salivary Gland Neoplasms/metabolism , Salivary Glands, Minor/metabolismABSTRACT
BACKGROUND/AIM: To investigate the relative frequency of biopsied nonneoplastic oral mucosal lesions in Ankara, Turkey. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Biopsy records of a single center from 2000-2012 were retrospectively collected. Diagnosis was recorded and evaluated with respect to patient demographics (age, sex) and location of the lesion. RESULTS: Of 11,980 biopsies, 1732 (14.5%) were mucosal nonneoplastic lesions. Hyperplastic lesions (n= 1000, 57.7%) with fibroepithelial hyperplasia in 30.9% of patients were the most common type of oral nonneoplastic lesions. The mean age of patients differed with respect to type of mucosal lesion, tending to be lower in patients with reactive lesions. Dermatoses showed a female predominance. CONCLUSION: Our ,findings revealed that hyperplastic lesions were the most common among nonneoplastic oral mucosa lesions. Geographic and ethnic.differences of patients with various types of oral mucosal lesions require further investigation.
