Analysis of VEGF-C, COX-2 and IL-17A as Biomarkers of Head and Neck Epidermoid Carcinoma

Name: ALLINY CRISTINY DA SILVA BASTOS

Publication date: 23/02/2017
Advisor:

Namesort descending Role
SONIA ALVES GOUVEA Advisor *

Examining board:

Namesort descending Role
MARCO CESAR CUNEGUNDES GUIMARÃES Internal Examiner *
SONIA ALVES GOUVEA Advisor *

Summary: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is one of the most frequent types
of cancers presenting a high mortality rate and morbidity rate for individuals worldwide.
Although several studies present possible biomarkers (BM) for HNSCC there is no
specific BM established for this disease. The objective of this work was to evaluate the
role of VEGF-C, COX-2 and IL-17A as possible BM of HNSCC, since their high
expression has been related to a worse prognosis of the disease. A cross-sectional
clinical study, approved by the CEP/UFES Ethics Committee n°99.242/2012, was
performed. Biological samples and clinical-pathological data from 124 patients with
HNSCC and 29 healthy individuals were collected. The detection of VEGF-C mRNA
and COX-2 expression was performed by qPCR trials on tumor tissues and normal
tissue samples. The evaluation of VEGFC and COX2 protein expression was
performed with serum from both HNSCC patients and a control group by Western
blotting. The level of IL-17A (pg/ml) was measured by flow cytometry. Increased
relative expression of VEGF-C mRNA in tumor tissue was observed in patients with
lymph node metastasis (p=0,027) compared to without lymph node metastasis
(p=0,043) and normal tissue samples (p=0,031);Variation of VEGF-C expression in
serum of patients in advanced stages of the disease (III/IV) was observed (p=0,01) in
comparison with patients in initial stages (I/II) (p = 0,03) and also the control group
(p=0,003). COX-2 did not present a significant difference in any of the parameters of
the biological samples analyzed. The level of IL-17A was higher in the serum samples
from patients in the initial stages of HNSCC (I/II) (p=0,03), in smokers with the disease
(p=0,04) and in those without regional lymph node metastases(p=0,04) when
compared to the control group. VEGF-C and IL-17A were shown to be potential
biomarker of HNSCC in serum samples, being a less invasive and more feasible way
to evaluate the patient's condition, WHEREas for COX-2 new approaches are necessary
to evaluate its role in HNSCC.
Keywords: Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma; Biomarkers; VEGF-C; COX-2;
IL-17A.

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