Genome-wide Expression Profiling (with Focus on the Galectin Network) in Tumor, Transition Zone and Normal Tissue of Head and Neck Cancer: Marked Differences Between Individual Patients and the Site of Specimen Origin

Background/Aim: Expression profiling was performed to delineate and characterize the impact of malignancy by comparing tissues from three sites of head and neck cancer of each patient, also determining interindividual variability. Materials and Methods: Genome-wide analysis was carried out covering the expression of 25,832 genes with quantification for each site of seven patients with tonsillar or oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed for adhesion/growth-regulatory galectins, three pro-inflammatory chemo- and cytokines and keratins. Results: Up- and down-regulation was found for 281 (tumor vs. normal) and 276 genes (transition zone vs. normal), respectively. The profile of the transition zone had its own features, with similarity to the tumor. Galectins were affected in a network manner, with differential regulation and interindividual variability between patients, also true for keratins and the chemo- and cytokines. Conclusion: These results underline special features at each site of specimen origin as well as the importance of analyzing galectins as a network and of defining the expression status of the individual patient prior to reaching clinically relevant conclusions.

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