UNIQUE NUCLEAR MATRIX PROTEIN ALTERATIONS IN HEAD AND NECK SQUAMOUS-CELL CARCINOMAS - INTERMEDIATE BIOMARKER CANDIDATES

The progression of normal squamous epithelium to a malignant metastati c phenotype may depend on cellular genetic events and the failure of h ost mechanisms, Intermediate biomarkers are needed to more effectively identify and quantify malignant progression and develop the potential for specific treatments and prevention strategies, The nuclear matrix is the RNA-protein scaffold of the nucleus, which controls in part nu clear shape, DNA organization, and DNA function, Nuclear matrix protei ns in all previously studied cell types show a common set of nuclear m atrix proteins and a subset of tissue- and cell type-specific proteins , In every system studied to date, the nuclear matrix has been demonst rated to undergo quantifiable alterations in its protein composition w ith transformation to the malignant phenotype, The loss and gain of nu clear matrix proteins are being investigated as biomarkers for maligna nt transformation in breast, colon, and prostate carcinoma, We have in vestigated nuclear matrix protein composition in laryngeal and oral ca vity primary squamous cell tumors and metastatic cervical lymph nodes, Laryngeal carcinoma demonstrated the gain of two specific nuclear mat rix proteins in comparison with noncancerous squamous epithelium. Squa mous cell carcinoma matrixes demonstrate greater heterogeneity than do previously studied adenocarcinoma matrixes, and yet they display spec ific matrix proteins that may represent important potential biomarkers .