Cytoplasmic IGF2BP2 Protein Expression in Human Patients with Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Prognostic and Clinical Implications

Abstract

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is particularly prevalent in Taiwan. The goal of this study was to determine the clinicopathological role of insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA binding protein 2 (IGF2BP2) proteins as an indicator of clinical outcomes in OSCC patients. In this study, immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis was used to examine IGF2BP2 protein expression in 244 OSCC patients. We investigated the relationships among IGF2BP2 expression, clinicopathological variables, and patient survival. Our results showed that IGF2BP2 cytoplasmic protein expression was significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis, cancer stage, and patient survival. Kaplan-Meier survival curves revealed that elevated cytoplasmic IGF2BP2 expression levels in OSCC patients were associated with poor overall survival. Moreover, multivariate cox proportional hazard models revealed that cytoplasmic IGF2BP2 expression, T status, and lymph node metastasis were independent prognostic factors for survival. In conclusion, IGF2BP2 protein was found to be a helpful predictive marker for OSCC patients, as well as a possible therapeutic target for OSCC treatment.

Comprehensive analysis of the expression of the IGF2BPs gene family in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: Association with prognostic value and tumor immunity

“…By comparing patients with high IGF2BP2 expression to those with low expression, the examination of patient survival data showed a substantial decline in OS. Univariate regression analysis confirmed IGF2BP2 as an independent risk factor for HNSCC, which is consistent with previous studies [ 23 , 26 ]. The association between higher IGF2BP2 expression and worse survival results raises the possibility that IGF2BP2 could be used as an independent biomarker to predict prognosis in HNSCC patients.…”

“…Furthermore, the present investigation revealed that the elevated expression level of the IGF2BPs gene family was linked to the clinical stage, T stage, and lymph node neck dissection. Lin and Young et al also showed that IGF2BP2 and IGF2BP3 in HNSCC were strongly associated with cancer stage and lymph node metastasis in HNSCC [ 23 , 24 ]. The findings suggest that overexpression of the IGF2BPs gene family may promote the onset and progression of HNSCC by enhancing lymph node metastasis.…”

Comprehensive Analysis of the Expression of the IGF2BPs gene family in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Association with Prognostic Value and Tumor Immunity

“…By comparing patients with high IGF2BP2 expression to those with low expression, the examination of patient survival data showed a substantial decline in OS. Univariate regression analysis con rmed IGF2BP2 as an independent risk factor for HNSCC, which is consistent with previous studies 22,25 . The association between higher IGF2BP2 expression and worse survival results raises the possibility that IGF2BP2 could be used as an independent biomarker to predict prognosis in HNSCC patients.…”

“…Furthermore, the present investigation revealed that the elevated expression level of the IGF2BPs gene family was linked to the clinical stage, T stage, and lymph node neck dissection. Lin and Young et al also showed that IGF2BP2 and IGF2BP3 in HNSCC were strongly associated with cancer stage and lymph node metastasis in HNSCC 22,23 . The ndings suggest that overexpression of the IGF2BPs gene family may promote the onset and progression of HNSCC by enhancing lymph node metastasis.…”

IGF2BP2 promotes cell invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition through Src-mediated upregulation of EREG in oral cancer

“…In addition to binding of many mRNA targets, IGF2BP2 recently was shown to interact with N6-methyladenosine-modified long noncoding RNAs [12]. Based on its wild spectrum of interacting RNA partners, IGF2BP2 has been functionally involved in a variety of biological and pathogenic processes, including the development and progression of numerous malignancies [13][14][15]. In many cancer types, upregulation of IGF2BP2 has been associated with poor disease prognosis [16][17][18], implicating IGF2BP2 as a tumor promoter.…”