Loss of Estrogen Receptors is Associated with Increased Tumor Aggression in Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Sci Rep. 2020 Mar 6;10(1):4227. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-60675-2.

Abstract

Laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) responds to 17β-estradiol via estrogen-receptor (ER, transcribed from ESR1) dependent mechanisms, but is not recognized as a hormonally responsive cancer. 17β-estradiol production by LSCC cell lines UM-SCC-11A and UM-SCC-12 was examined. Wild type (WT) and ESR1-silenced LSCC cultures and xenografts were examined for 17β-estradiol responsiveness in vivo. 14 LSCC and surrounding epithelial samples at various pathological stages were obtained from patients; ERα and ERβ expression were verified using data from the total cancer genome atlas. UM-SCC-11A and UM-SCC-12 both produce 17β-estradiol, but only UM-SCC-12, not UM-SCC-11A, xenograft tumors grow larger in vivo in response to systemic 17β-estradiol treatments. ERα66 and ERα36 expression inversely correlated with clinical cancer stage and tumor burden. LSCC ERα66 expression was higher compared to surrounding epithelia in indolent samples but lower in aggressive LSCC. ERβ expression was highly variable. High ESR1 expression correlated with improved survival in LSCC. Loss of ERα66 expression inversely correlated with prognosis in LSCC. ERα66 may be a histopathological marker of aggression in LSCC.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / genetics
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / pathology*
  • Estradiol / metabolism*
  • Estrogen Receptor alpha / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Estrogen Receptor alpha / genetics
  • Estrogen Receptor alpha / metabolism
  • Estrogen Receptor beta / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Estrogen Receptor beta / genetics
  • Estrogen Receptor beta / metabolism
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • Laryngeal Neoplasms / genetics
  • Laryngeal Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Laryngeal Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prognosis
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • ESR1 protein, human
  • ESR2 protein, human
  • Estrogen Receptor alpha
  • Estrogen Receptor beta
  • Estradiol