miR-19a and SOCS-1 expression in the differential diagnosis of laryngeal (glottic) verrucous squamous cell carcinoma

J Clin Pathol. 2016 May;69(5):415-21. doi: 10.1136/jclinpath-2015-203308. Epub 2015 Oct 26.

Abstract

Background: Laryngeal verrucous squamous cell carcinoma (VSCC) is a highly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), the diagnosis of which can meet with many pitfalls: benign hyperplastic lesions and conventional SCC are the most important differential diagnoses. The microRNA miR-19a is overexpressed in many solid tumours and regulates the suppressor of cytokine signalling-1 (SOCS-1) expression.

Aims: The main endpoints were to assess miR-19a and SOCS-1 expression in glottic VSCC, and the former's potential role in differentiating between glottic VSCC, conventional SCC and hyperplastic lesions.

Methods: The expression of MiR-19a (by reverse transcription and quantitative real-time PCR) and SOCS-1 (by immunohistochemistry, rabbit polyclonal anti-SOCS-1 antibody) was assessed in 11 consecutive cases of glottic VSCC, 20 of papillary hyperplasia and 42 cases of conventional SCC.

Results: Mean miR-19a expression was significantly higher (p = 0.000) in malignant glottic lesions (conventional SCC/VSCC) than in benign conditions. Significant differences in mean miR-19a expression also emerged between conventional SCC and papillary hyperplasia (p = 0.000), and between conventional SCC and VSCC (p = 0.03). miR-19a expression was not statistically associated with SOCS-1 immunoreactivity or immunostaining intensity in VSCC, conventional SCC or papillary hyperplasia.

Conclusions: Our preliminary outcomes suggest the utility of miR-19a in the challenging differential diagnosis of laryngeal VSCC. Although miR-19a has been found to regulate SOCS-1 expression, this evidence was not confirmed by this investigation.

Keywords: CANCER; LARYNGEAL CANCER; TUMOUR MARKERS.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / diagnosis*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / metabolism
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hyperplasia / diagnosis
  • Hyperplasia / genetics
  • Hyperplasia / metabolism
  • Laryngeal Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Laryngeal Neoplasms / genetics
  • Laryngeal Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Larynx / metabolism
  • Larynx / pathology*
  • Male
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism*
  • Middle Aged
  • Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 1 Protein
  • Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling Proteins / genetics
  • Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • MIRN19 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • SOCS1 protein, human
  • Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 1 Protein
  • Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling Proteins