Detection of tumor cells with stem cell characteristics in oral leukoplakia

• Applicants: Professor Dr. Emeka Nkenke; Dr. Jutta Ries
• Subject Area: Dentistry, Oral Surgery
• Term: from 2013 to 2015
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 237290448

So far it is matter of debate if the established conservative as well as surgical interventions for the treatment of oral leukoplakia (OLP) are effective in preventing the development of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Therefore, it seems reasonable to check if new therapy options can be adopted.It is the hypothesis of the present grant application that tumor cells with stem cell characteristics can be detected in OLP which transform to OSCC. Moreover, it is assumed that these tumor cells with stem cell characteristics express cancer-testis antigens (e.g. MAGE-A). The latter could serve as targets for the elimination of the tumor cells with stem cell characteristics.Previously, the working group has shown that 1) approx. 85 % of OLP, which transform to OSCC, express MAGE-A. Normally, MAGE-A can only be detected in malignomas. 2) tumor cells with stem cell characteristics of OSCC express MAGE-A. The study aims at checking if tumor cells with stem cell characteristics are expressed in OLP that transform to OSCC. Samples of sound oral mucosa and samples of OLP that did not transform to OSCC in a 5-years period are used as controls.If tumor cells with stem cell characteristics could be detected in OLP MAGE-A, these findings could serve as the basis for the establishment of new treatment strategies like a vaccination therapy.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants