KLK6, KLK7, and KLK10 Genes Expression in Oral Cancer

Objectives: Our aim is to determine the roles of KLK6, KLK7, and KLK10 genes expression in the oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) development. Methods: Between October, 2007 and Jun 2010, OSCC patients were recruited from the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Pathology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Taiwan. Healthy controls were recruited from OSCC survey in a southern Taiwan community. Plasma KLK6, KLK7 and KLK10 were detected quantitatively in ELISA. For protein expression in tissues we were detected by IHC stain. JMP statistical software was used to analyze the association. Results: In plasma expression, 81 OSCC patients and 58 healthy controls were recruited, and all subjects were had oral habits of alcohol consumption, betel quid chewing, and cigarette smoking. The concentration of KLK6, KLK7, and KLK10 plasma expression in OSCC patients (mean=7.67, 1.15, and 9.18 ng/ml) were all higher than in control groups (mean=4.81, 0.94, and 6.90 ng/ml). However, only KLK6 plasma expression had statistic significantly (p-value = 0.0003). In KLK6, KLK7, and KLK10 protein expression, there were 46 OSCC patients' tissues and 3 noncancerous tissues were recruited. KLK6, KLK7, and KLK10 protein expression scores in OSCC tissues (mean=25.93, 26.04, 26.25) were all higher than in control tissues (mean=10.67, 9.00, 5.83), and KLK7 and KLK10 were had statistic significantly (p-value = 0.047, 0.017). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that KLK6, KLK7, and KLK10 may associate with OSCC, but we still need more information to prove.