miRNA expression profiles in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and adjacent normal tissue

Background. The expression of miRNA in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) that had been classified as high risk by surgical pathologic features and validated by trial outcome for disease recurrence was determined and compared with matched adjacent normal tissues. Methods. miRNA and corresponding gene expression were determined using miRNA bioarrays and gene expression arrays. Results. Twenty miRNAs were determined to be differentially regulated in the HNSCC samples when compared with their normal tissue counterparts. Quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction confirmed differential regulation of miRNA expression, and gene expression analysis on these same-paired samples confirmed the loss of putative mRNA targets including genes such as adenomatous polyposis coli, programmed cell death protein 4, and TGF beta receptor 3 in the tumor samples. Conclusions. These data suggest a role for the upregulation of specific miRNAs in high-risk HNSCC. Furthermore, upregulation of these miRNAs may be responsible for the elimination of mRNAs that lead to the growth and progression of HNSCC.