Expression analysis of canonical Wnt pathway genes in oral squamous cell carcinoma among south Indian population and their clinicopathological correlation

Abstract

The Wnt pathway can be targeted at the extracellular and intracellular newline(cytoplasmic and nuclear) levels. The Wnt ligand itself can be a potent target. newlineThere are various antibodies and inhibitors developed and being developed to newlinetarget the Wnt pathway genes in an attempt to treat cancer. However, there are newlinenot many studies in Indian population. The occurrence of familial aggregations of newlinecancer suggests existence of genetic predisposing factors. Race and ethnicity newlineappear to be the influential factors in the development of cancer, because of newlinegenetic predisposition and socioeconomic factors. This study sets out to identify newlineif the canonical Wnt pathway is a primary oncogenic signaling mechanism in OSCC among the south Indian population. This study is important as without newlineidentifying the key players to the cause of a disease, it may not justify the use of newlineglobally marketed drugs based on a hypothesis. There are studies shown that a newlinedrug effective in Caucasian population, is ineffective in Indian population. newlineLikewise, cancer mechanisms may also vary. Moreover, most cancer studies and newlinedrug development are based on cell lines. But, this cannot simulate exact patient newlinetissues. So, it is now important to link epidemiological and clinical data with newlinemolecular markers from tumour specimens in prospective clinical studies. This newlineinformation may have important preventative and therapeutic implications. By newlinefirst understanding the role of the Wnt genes in OSCC and their clinical newlineimplications, it may be possible to substantiate the development of diagnostic newlineand therapeutic targets for OSCC. If defective genes and pathways can be newlineidentified, altered and managed, novel molecular targetted therapies may enable newlineprevention and treatment of HNSCC. newline