ArticleBMC molecular and cell biology2024
CTC together with Shh and Nrf2 are prospective diagnostic markers for HNSCC.
Article in BMC molecular and cell biology, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.
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Who cites it
4 citing papers in PubMed, 5 citations in OpenAlex.
- Circulating tumour cells and circulating tumour DNA in head and neck cancer: from molecular insights to clinical impact.Cancer metastasis reviews · 2025Review
- Liquid Biopsy's Role in Head and Neck Tumors: Changing Paradigms in the Era of Precision Medicine.Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025Review
- The Effects of ML385 on Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Implications for NRF2 Inhibition as a Therapeutic Strategy.International journal of molecular sciences · 2024Article
- Clinical Utility and Limitations of Circulating HPV DNA in Tonsillar Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Narrative Review.Cancer control : journal of the Moffitt Cancer CenterReview
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Authors and funding
24 authors at 4 institutions in 2 countries.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundThe lack of appropriate prognostic biomarkers remains a significant obstacle in the early detection of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC), a cancer type with a high mortality rate. Despite considerable advancements in treatment, the success in diagnosing HNSCC at an early stage still needs to be improved. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) are overexpressed in various cancers, including HNSCC, and have recently been proposed as possible therapeutic targets for HNSCC. Circulating Tumor Cell (CTC) is a novel concept used for the early detection of cancers, and studies have suggested that a higher CTC count is associated with the aggressiveness of HNSCC and poor survival rates. Therefore, we aimed to establish molecular markers for the early diagnosis of HNSCC considering Shh/Nrf2 overexpression in the background. In addition, the relation between Shh/Nrf2 and CTCs is still unexplored in HNSCC patients.
methodsIn the present study, we selected a cohort of 151 HNSCC patients and categorized them as CTC positive or negative based on the presence or absence of CTCs in their peripheral blood. Data on demographic and clinicopathological features with the survival of the patients were analyzed to select the patient cohort to study Shh/Nrf2 expression. Shh and Nrf2 expression was measured by qRT-PCR.
resultsConsidering significant demographic [smoking, betel leaf (p-value < 0.0001)] and clinicopathological risk factors [RBC count (p < 0.05), Platelet count (p < 0.05), Neutrophil count (p < 0.005), MCV (p < 0.0001), NLR (p < 0.05), MLR (p < 0.05)], patients who tested positive for CTC also exhibited significant overexpression of Shh/Nrf2 in both blood and tissue compared to CTC-negative patients. A strong association exists between CTCs and tumor grade. Following chemotherapy (a combination of Cisplatin, 5FU, and Paclitaxel), the frequency of CTCs was significantly decreased in patients with HNSCC who had tested positive for CTCs. The Kaplan-Meier plot illustrated that a higher number of CTCs is associated with poorer overall survival (OS) in patients with HNSCC.
conclusionsDetecting CTCs, and higher expression of Shh and Nrf2 in HNSCC patients' blood, can be a promising tool for diagnosing and prognosticating HNSCC.
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