Abstract
Aims: Dystroglycan (DG) is a non-integrin adhesion molecule connecting the extracellular matrix to the actin cytoskeleton. Decreased expression of DG has been reported in several human cancers and related to tumour aggressiveness.
Methods: Expression of the α-DG subunit was evaluated by immunostaining in a series of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and its relation with traditional prognostic indicators and with the clinical outcome of the patients was evaluated.
Results: α-DG expression was easily detected in normal epithelium with a mean percentage of positive cells >80% but was undetectable in a significant fraction (59%) of OSCC. Loss of α-DG staining correlated with higher tumour grade (p = 0.04) and stage (p = 0.01), with nodal involvement (p = 0.001) and with an increased risk of recurrence (p = 0.002) and death (p = 0.004) in a univariate analysis, but it was not confirmed as an independent predictor of clinical outcome in a multivariate analysis.
Conclusions: Loss of α-DG expression, which corresponds to loss of a functional DG complex, is a frequent event in human OSCC. Further studies are warranted on the role of this molecule in the entire multistep process of oral squamous tumorigenesis.
Acknowledgements
This work was supported in part by grants from the Università Cattolica to A.S. (Linea D1-2008).