Genome-wide comparative analysis of human oral cancer and precancer cells

Background: Oral squamous cell carcinoma is the most common malignant tumor in oral cavity. But its molecular mechanism is not clear. Objectives: The aim of the study was to examine gene expression profiles in oral cancer and oral precancer cells. Methods: The expression profiles of 7450 genes in human oral squamous cell carcinoma cell lines (Tca8113 and KB) and Human dysplastic oral keratinocyte line DOK were analyzed using Phalanx Whole Human Genome Microarray. Results: Nearly 1,400 genes were up-regulated (>2.0-fold) and 1050 were down-regulated (<2.0-fold) in Tca8113 and KB. Among them, 41genes were related to oxidative stress, 31 were up-regulated (>2.0-fold), 10 were down-regulated (<2.0-fold). Conclusions: Oxidative stress might be associated with the pathogenesis of oral squamous cell carcinoma. Further work is needed to determine the role of these genes in the development and progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Keywords: Oral cancer; Gene expression profiling; Oral precancer; Microarray.