METHODS: Immunohistochemical and in silico analyses of NDRG2 expression were performed, and the correlation between NDRG2 expression and clinicopathological data was analyzed. The effect of NDRG2 knockdown on the biological behavior of OSCC cells was investigated and the effect of 5-aza-2\'-deoxycytidine (5-aza-dC) on NDRG2 expression was determined.
RESULTS: NDRG2 expression was significantly downregulated and DNA hypermethylation of NDRG2 was frequently found in head and neck SCC, including OSCC. Low NDRG2 expression was significantly correlated with adverse clinicopathological features and worse survival in OSCC. NDRG2 knockdown could enhance the oncogenic properties of OSCC cells. NDRG2 mRNA levels in OSCC cells could be restored by 5-aza-dC.
CONCLUSIONS: Downregulation of NDRG2 promotes tumor progression and predicts poor prognosis in OSCC. Therefore, restoration of NDRG2 expression may be a potential therapeutic strategy in OSCC.
方法:进行NDRG2表达的免疫组织化学和计算机模拟分析,分析NDRG2表达与临床病理资料的相关性。研究了NDRG2敲低对OSCC细胞生物学行为的影响,并确定了5-氮杂-2'-脱氧胞苷(5-氮杂-dC)对NDRG2表达的影响。
结果:NDRG2表达显著下调,NDRG2的DNA甲基化在头颈部SCC中常见,包括OSCC。低NDRG2表达与OSCC不良临床病理特征和较差生存率显著相关。NDRG2敲低可以增强OSCC细胞的致癌特性。5-aza-dC可以恢复OSCC细胞中NDRG2的mRNA水平。
结论:在OSCC中,NDRG2的下调促进肿瘤进展并预测预后不良。因此,NDRG2表达的恢复可能是OSCC潜在的治疗策略。