Background: Oral squamous cell carcinomas have high potential for locoregional invasion and nodal metastasis. Thus, early detection and elucidation of detailed molecular mechanisms of OSCCs are important. Roles of LEM domain containing 1 (LEMD1), a novel cancer-testis antigen, in OSCCs are unclear.
Methods: We performed immunohistochemical analysis of LEMD1 in 289 OSCC patients and examined functions of LEMD1 in these carcinomas.
Results: Immunohistochemical analysis showed that 101 patients were positive for LEMD1. LEM domain containing 1 expression levels in OSCCs significantly correlated with tumour progression (T factor and clinical stage), nodal metastasis, and poor prognosis. LEM domain containing 1 expression was an independent predictor of disease-free survival in OSCC patients. In OSCCs, LEMD1 knockdown suppressed cancer cell invasion. Moreover, downregulation of LEMD1 expression inhibited adhesion and transmigration of OSCCs and vascular or lymphatic vascular endothelial cells.
Conclusions: Our findings suggest that LEMD1 is a novel tumour progressive factor and may be a useful diagnostic and therapeutic target in OSCCs.