Serum and salivary macrophage migration inhibitory factor in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract

The overexpression of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) has been identified in a variety of tumors and the investigation of its molecular mechanisms in tumor progression is a key topic of research. The present study aimed to investigate MIF as a potential marker for disease control or recurrence, and to assess the association between serum and salivary MIF and the clinicopathological characteristics of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Serum and salivary samples were collected prior to and following the surgical treatment of 50 patients with OSCC. MIF concentrations were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and the adopted level of statistical significance was P<0.05. The results revealed that serum MIF concentrations were significantly reduced following tumor resection in OSCC patients. Furthermore, higher preoperative salivary MIF concentrations were observed in patients with larger tumors and in those who succumbed to the disease. In conclusion, high salivary and serological MIF concentrations were identified in patients with OSCC. Nevertheless, only serological MIF concentrations may be considered as a potential marker for the early detection of OSCC recurrence once the salivary levels, prior and following treatment, do not show any significant differences.

Involvement of macrophage migration inhibitory factor in cancer and novel therapeutic targets

“…Similarly, De Souza et al (24) reported that in oral squamous cell carcinoma patients, MIF serum levels decreased following tumor resection and thus, serum MIF was proposed as a biomarker.…”

Deletion of macrophage migration inhibitory factor inhibits murine oral carcinogenesis: Potential role for chronic pro‐inflammatory immune mediators

“…Previous studies have shown that MIF protein is expressed in oral tumors, and its expression correlates with oral tumor progression and is predictive of oral tumor recurrence in patients . However, constitutive MIF protein expression occurs in various tissues.…”

“…Further studies by Kindt et al ., revealed a positive association between levels of MIF in tissue and tumor progression in oral cavity carcinomas. In another recent study, high MIF protein was observed in the saliva and serum of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients, and serologic MIF concentrations were predictive of tumor recurrence in post‐surgical patients . These studies suggest that expression of MIF in oral tumors could either be a consequence of oral carcinogenesis, or it could be that MIF actively plays a causative role in oral tumor formation.…”

Role of macrophage migration inhibitory factor in head and neck cancer and novel therapeutic targets: A systematic review

“…In HNSCC, early expression of MIF occurs during initiation and throughout tumor progression . Clinically, immunohistochemically detected expression of MIF (staining intensity and percentage of the stained surface) increases during tumor progression in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), hypopharyngeal SCC, nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), and esophageal SCC (epithelium < low‐grade dysplasia < high‐grade dysplasia < carcinoma; Table , Figure ). Based on cell counting, crystal violet assay (proliferation), and flow cytometry (apoptosis), our laboratory previously reported a reduction in the growth of the murine carcinoma cell line SCCVII treated with an irreversible MIF inhibitor (4‐iodo‐6‐phenylpyrimidine [4‐IPP]) in vitro .…”

“…Table shows selected articles studying the role of MIF in tumor invasion and cell motility. The majority of studies are focused on NPC .…”