骨桥蛋白在头颈部鳞状细胞癌的表达及其意义

Expression and significance of osteopontin in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

骨桥蛋白(OPN)是分泌性细胞的细胞外基质蛋白,与细胞的多种生理功能关系密切。越来越多的学者在乳腺癌、肺癌、前列腺癌和结肠癌的研究中发现,OPN在肿瘤的发生、侵袭以及转移过程中发挥着重要的作用。大量的文献报道,OPN在头颈部的正常黏膜中无表达,而在发育不良和鳞状细胞癌的组织中呈阳性表达,且表达水平与肿瘤的转移和恶性程度有关。希望在不久的将来,OPN能够作为靶点用于鳞状细胞癌的治疗。

Osteopontin （OPN） is an integrin-binding protein, believed to be involved in a variety of physiological cellular functions. It has shown to play an important role in tumor genesis, tumor invasion, and metastasis in breast, lung, prostate, and colon cancers. By reviewing related literature, we realized that in the head and neck region, over-expression of OPN was found only in dysplastic and squamous cell carcinoma （SCC） and not in normal mucosa. The expression levels suggesting a correlation between OPN function with malignancy and metastasis. We hope in the near future the osteopontin could be used as a potential target of SCC therapy.