PAI-1 expression in intratumoral inflammatory infiltrate contributes to lymph node metastasis in oral cancer: A cross-sectional study.
Ann Med Surg (Lond) 2021;
65:102303. [PMID:
34094525 PMCID:
PMC8167432 DOI:
10.1016/j.amsu.2021.102303]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Revised: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction
Immune cells contribute with mediators in the protein expression profile of the tumor microenvironment. Levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) are elevated in non-malignant inflammatory conditions; however, the association between PAI-1 expression and inflammation remains uncertain in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). This study aimed to investigate PAI-1 expression in mononuclear inflammatory cell infiltrate in OSCC and its role as a prognostic marker.
Methods
Samples were collected from patients with OSCC, treated surgically, and followed for 24 months after the procedure. Thirty-nine tumoral tissue were analyzed using immunohistochemistry. Correlation between protein expression, clinicopathological parameters, and the prognosis was investigated.
Results
Positive PAI-1 expression in mononuclear inflammatory cell infiltrate was significantly associated with lymph node status (p = 0.009) and with the cytoplasmic expression of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) (p = 0.028). Multivariate analysis revealed weak PAI-1 expression as an independent marker for lymph node metastases, with approximately 8-fold increased risk compared to strong expression (OR = 8.60; CI = 1.54-48.08; p = 0.014).
Conclusion
Our results suggest that the strong PAI-1 expression in intratumoral inflammatory infiltrate is an indicator of a better prognosis for patients diagnosed with oral squamous cell carcinoma.
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