DECREASED EXPRESSION OF TRANSFORMING GROWTH-FACTOR-BETA RECEPTORS ON HEAD AND NECK SQUAMOUS-CELL CARCINOMA TUMOR-CELLS

BACKGROUND: Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) has antiprolife rative effects on normal and neoplastic cells that express specific TG F-beta receptors. We hypothesize that diminished expression of TGF-bet a and/or its receptors may contribute to the uncontrolled proliferatio n of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCCA) cancer cells. METH ODS: Using immunohistochemical techniques, we characterized the expres sion of TGF-beta isoforms and TGF-beta receptors, TGF-beta(RI) and TGF -beta(RII), in HNSCCA. Tumor production of TGF-beta was evaluated in c ulture supernatants from a cytokine-stimulated HNSCCA tumor line (HTB- 43). RESULTS: All control specimens displayed strong cell-associated s taining of TGF-beta as well as both receptors. Forty-seven of 47 cance r specimens exhibited positive staining for TGF-beta in the tumor matr ix. Forty of the 47 cancer specimens demonstrated no expression of TGF -beta(RI), and 43 of the 47 expressed no TGF-beta(RII). Only interleuk in 1 alpha (IL-1 alpha) and IL-1 beta induced significant TGF-beta exp ression from the HTB-43 cells. CONCLUSIONS: Decreased expression of TG F-beta receptors may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of HN SCCA by allowing uncontrolled cell proliferation. (C) 1996 by Excerpta Medica, Inc.