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DNA damage-related proteins in smokers and non-smokers with oral cancer

Abstract:

Tobacco smoking involves a high risk of human malignancies, including oral cancer, because it contains multiple carcinogens that cause genetic instability. Thus, a worse prognosis would be expected for cancer patients who are smokers. The aim of this study was to assess the DNA damage response through the expression of checkpoint kinase 2 (CHK2), H2A histone family member X (H2AX), and P53 among smokers and non-smokers with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Associations between immunoexpression of proteins and clinicopathological data and histopathological grading were also analyzed. A total of 35 individuals (18 non-smokers and 17 smokers) with OSCC of the tongue and/or floor of the mouth were included. Immunohistochemistry for H2AX was conducted for the identification of double-strand breaks, CHK2, and P53 to evaluate the expression of this protein in cell cycle regulation. The sample consisted of 22 males and 13 females, with a mean age of 63.9±11.8 years. OSCC of non-smokers were well-differentiated tumors in 50% of the cases, and those of smokers were equally distributed into moderately differentiated and poorly differentiated tumors (35.3% each). Overall, 31 (88.6%) cases were CHK2-positive, 27 (77.1%) were H2AX-positive, and 23 (65.7%) were P53-positive, with no difference between smokers and non-smokers (p > 0.05). No association was found between proteins and clinicopathologic data (p > 0.05). Similarities in CHK2, H2AX, and P53 immunohistochemical staining patterns were observed between smokers and non-smokers, and immunoexpression was not associated with clinicopathological parameters. However, the findings indicated consistent expression of these proteins in OSCC.

Keywords:
DNA Damage; Checkpoint Kinase 2; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; Mouth Neoplasms

Introduction

Oral cancer is a global problem with an annual incidence of 377,000 cases.11 Sung H, Ferlay J, Siegel RL, Laversanne M, Soerjomataram I, Jemal A, et al. Global Cancer Statistics 2020: GLOBOCAN Estimates of Incidence and Mortality Worldwide for 36 Cancers in 185 countries. CA Cancer J Clin. 2021 May;71(3):209-49. https://doi.org/10.3322/caac.21660
https://doi.org/10.3322/caac.21660...
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common type of oral malignant neoplasia. Genetic, epigenetic and environmental factors are involved in this multifactorial disease. Cigarette smoking is the main etiologic factor of oral cancer, and its mechanism of action involves direct DNA damage.22 Jethwa AR, Khariwala SS. Tobacco-related carcinogenesis in head and neck cancer. Cancer Metastasis Rev. 2017 Sep;36(3):411-23. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10555-017-9689-6
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10555-017-9689-...
During carcinogenesis, some pathways may be altered, modifying tumor proliferation and apoptosis, and inducing cell transformation and clonal expansion of tumor cells.33 Monteiro LS, Diniz-Freitas M, Warnakulasuriya S, Garcia-Caballero T, Forteza J, Fraga M. An immunohistochemical score to predict the outcome for oral squamous cell carcinoma. J Oral Pathol Med. 2018 Apr;47(4):375-81. https://doi.org/10.1111/jop.12682
https://doi.org/10.1111/jop.12682...
DNA damage is a recurrent phenomenon in metabolism that can be induced by exogenous and endogenous agents. When these factors accumulate, they can cause genomic instability, which eventually results in the carcinogenesis process.44 Nikitakis NG, Rassidakis GZ, Tasoulas J, Gkouveris I, Kamperos G, Daskalopoulos A, et al. Alterations in the expression of DNA damage response-related molecules in potentially preneoplastic oral epithelial lesions. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol. 2018 Jun;125(6):637-49. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oooo.2018.03.006
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oooo.2018.03.0...

Cigarette smoke contains reactive oxidants that may cause macromolecular damage to exposed cells. Thus, the production of reactive oxygen species may damage DNA, occurring in the form of mutations, deletions, changes in sugar bases, cytosine halogenation or oxidation, and methylation.55 Oliveira SR, Silva IC, Mariz BA, Pereira AM, Oliveira NF. DNA methylation analysis of cancer-related genes in oral epithelial cells of healthy smokers. Arch Oral Biol. 2015 Jun;60(6):825-33. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.archoralbio.2015.02.022
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.archoralbio.20...
This fact suggests that levels of specific proteins related to DNA damage such as checkpoint kinase 2 (CHK2), H2A histone family member X (H2AX), and P53 in smokers might serve as a measure of their risk of cancer.66 Valinluck V, Sowers LC. Inflammation-mediated cytosine damage: a mechanistic link between inflammation and the epigenetic alterations in human cancers. Cancer Res. 2007 Jun;67(12):5583-6. https://doi.org/10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-07-0846
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H2AX is highly conserved and performs critical cellular functions.77 Weyemi U, Redon CE, Choudhuri R, Aziz T, Maeda D, Boufraqech M, et al. The histone variant H2A.X is a regulator of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Nat Commun. 2016 Feb;7(1):10711. https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms10711
https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms10711...
The H2AX gene plays an essential role in repairing DNA double strand breaks and in the stability of the genome, being considered a tumor suppressor gene.77 Weyemi U, Redon CE, Choudhuri R, Aziz T, Maeda D, Boufraqech M, et al. The histone variant H2A.X is a regulator of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Nat Commun. 2016 Feb;7(1):10711. https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms10711
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,88 Meador JA, Zhao M, Su Y, Narayan G, Geard CR, Balajee AS. Histone H2AX is a critical factor for cellular protection against DNA alkylating agents. Oncogene. 2008 Sep;27(43):5662-71. https://doi.org/10.1038/onc.2008.187
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Meanwhile, CHK2 is involved in the DNA damage repair pathway, capable of activating P53, modulating repair, and blocking the cell cycle.99 Carrassa L, Damia G. Unleashing Chk1 in cancer therapy. Cell Cycle. 2011 Jul;10(13):2121-8. https://doi.org/10.4161/cc.10.13.16398 PMID:21610326
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,1010 Guffanti F, Fruscio R, Rulli E, Damia G. The impact of DNA damage response gene polymorphisms on therapeutic outcomes in late stage ovarian cancer. Sci Rep. 2016 Dec;6(1):38142. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep38142
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The P53 tumor suppressor gene is essential in regulating cell cycle progression, DNA differentiation, and repair.1111 Sinevici N, O'sullivan J. Oral cancer: deregulated molecular events and their use as biomarkers. Oral Oncol. 2016 Oct;61:12-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oraloncology.2016.07.013
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oraloncology.2...

The DNA damage response (DDR) is the cell's ability to restore genomic changes caused by endogenous or exogenous mutagens.44 Nikitakis NG, Rassidakis GZ, Tasoulas J, Gkouveris I, Kamperos G, Daskalopoulos A, et al. Alterations in the expression of DNA damage response-related molecules in potentially preneoplastic oral epithelial lesions. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol. 2018 Jun;125(6):637-49. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oooo.2018.03.006
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oooo.2018.03.0...
H2AX phosphorylation is a key step in the DDR, playing a role in signaling and initiation of double-strand breaks (DSBs) repair.1212 Palla VV, Karaolanis G, Katafigiotis I, Anastasiou I, Patapis P, Dimitroulis D, et al. gamma-H2AX: can it be established as a classical cancer prognostic factor? Tumour Biol. 2017 Mar;39(3):1010428317695931. https://doi.org/10.1177/1010428317695931
https://doi.org/10.1177/1010428317695931...
DSBs must be repaired quickly and precisely to avoid cell death, chromosomal aberrations, mutations and, in certain cases, initiation of pathological processes such as cancer. The rapid phosphorylation of H2AX is an early cellular response to DSBs.1313 Mah LJ, El-Osta A, Karagiannis TC. gammaH2AX: a sensitive molecular marker of DNA damage and repair. Leukemia. 2010 Apr;24(4):679-86. https://doi.org/10.1038/leu.2010.6
https://doi.org/10.1038/leu.2010.6...

In response to DNA damage, a complex signaling network organizes cell cycle checkpoints allowing cell cycle arrest and DNA repair or activating senescence or cell death.1414 Roos WP, Kaina B. DNA damage-induced cell death: from specific DNA lesions to the DNA damage response and apoptosis. Cancer Lett. 2013 May;332(2):237-48. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.canlet.2012.01.007
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.canlet.2012.01...
CHK2 is central to transducing the DNA damage signal and has been implicated in the mediation of both G1/S and G2/M cell cycle arrest in a distinct pathway through P53.1515 Zannini L, Delia D, Buscemi G. CHK2 kinase in the DNA damage response and beyond. J Mol Cell Biol. 2014 Dec;6(6):442-57. https://doi.org/10.1093/jmcb/mju045
https://doi.org/10.1093/jmcb/mju045...
Moreover, P53 is essential in regulating cell cycle progression, differentiation, DNA repair, and apoptosis. Almost 50% of individuals with oral cancer exhibit P53 gene mutation, which highlights its role as a tumor suppressor.1111 Sinevici N, O'sullivan J. Oral cancer: deregulated molecular events and their use as biomarkers. Oral Oncol. 2016 Oct;61:12-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oraloncology.2016.07.013
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oraloncology.2...

Nevertheless, the effect of smoking on the expression of CHK2 and H2AX in OSCC has not been well explored.44 Nikitakis NG, Rassidakis GZ, Tasoulas J, Gkouveris I, Kamperos G, Daskalopoulos A, et al. Alterations in the expression of DNA damage response-related molecules in potentially preneoplastic oral epithelial lesions. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol. 2018 Jun;125(6):637-49. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oooo.2018.03.006
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oooo.2018.03.0...
,55 Oliveira SR, Silva IC, Mariz BA, Pereira AM, Oliveira NF. DNA methylation analysis of cancer-related genes in oral epithelial cells of healthy smokers. Arch Oral Biol. 2015 Jun;60(6):825-33. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.archoralbio.2015.02.022
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.archoralbio.20...
In this study, we evaluated the immunoexpression of CHK2, H2AX, and P53 proteins, which are associated with DNA protection and repair, among smokers and non-smokers with OSCC. Additionally, we analyzed associations of protein levels with clinicopathological data and histopathological grading.

Methodology

Study design and ethical approval

This retrospective and cross-sectional study evaluated 35 paraffin-embedded tissue specimens of OSCC. The cases were obtained from the archives of the Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology Laboratory of Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil. The study was approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee (No. 03012618.1.0000.5149) and the patient's identity remained anonymous according to the Declaration of Helsinki.

Patients and samples

Individuals with OSCC were analyzed according to sex, age, anatomical location (tongue and/or floor of the mouth), alcohol consumption (yes/no), and smoking habit. Tobacco consumption was determined by the number of cigarettes smoked during the lifetime, and individuals were grouped in two categories as follows: never smokers, with a smoking history of ≤0.5 pack-years, and smokers, with a smoking history of > 10 pack-years.1616 Paulin GA, Ouriadov A, Lessard E, Sheikh K, McCormack DG, Parraga G. Noninvasive quantification of alveolar morphometry in elderly never- and ex-smokers. Physiol Rep. 2015 Oct;3(10):e12583. https://doi.org/10.14814/phy2.12583
https://doi.org/10.14814/phy2.12583...

Previous studies have compared the levels of proteins in normal mucosa of smokers and non-smokers. For instance, Zaid et al.1717 Zaid K, Azar-Maalouf E, Barakat C, Chantiri M. p53 Overexpression in Oral Mucosa in Relation to Shisha Smoking in Syria and Lebanon. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2018 Jul;19(7):1879-82. https://doi.org/10.22034/APJCP.2018.19.7.1879
https://doi.org/10.22034/APJCP.2018.19.7...
carried out an analysis of P53 in normal epithelium, and non-smokers had a lower level of positive cells than smokers, (6.6% and 16.6%). Zhu et al.1818 Zhu M, Liu W, Shi L, Xiao X, Wu W, Wu L, et al. Expression of DNA doublestrand repair proteins in oral leukoplakia and the risk of malignant transformation. Oncol Lett. 2018 Jun;15(6):9827-35. https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2018.8574
https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2018.8574...
revealed that the expression of γH2AFX in OSCC was significantly increased compared with normal oral mucosa tissues. In the present study, staining of adjacent mucosa was observed in some cases, but as this evaluation was unfeasible in all cases, normal tissue was not accounted for.

The histopathological diagnosis was confirmed by two independent oral and maxillofacial pathologists (V.F.B. and M.C.F.A.), who were blinded to the clinico-demographic data, through the review of the sections stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) retrieved from the files. Disagreements were jointly reviewed to reach a consensus.

All samples were graded as well differentiated, moderately differentiated, or poorly differentiated according to the World Health Organization criteria.1919 El-Naggar AK, Chan JK, Grandis JR, Takata T, Slootweg PJ. WHO classification of head and neck tumours. Lyon: IARC Press; 2017. The exclusion criterion was OSCC individuals submitted to radiotherapy, chemotherapy or other treatments before surgery.

Immunohistochemical staining

For the immunohistochemical study, 4-μm thick sections were obtained from paraffin-embedded tissue blocks and mounted on polarized slides (StarFrost®, Waldemar Knittel Glasbearbeitungs GmbH, Braunschweig, Germany). Monoclonal antibodies, including anti-phospho-CHK2 (clone Thr68; Rabbit; Cell Signaling Technology, Danvers, USA; 1:50), anti-phospho-histone H2A.X-Ser139 (clone 20E3; Rabbit; Cell Signaling Technology, Danvers, USA; 1:200), and anti-P53 (clone DO7, Mouse; Dako, Carpinteria, USA; 1:50) were used. The antigen-retrieval step was performed using the TRILOGY Concentrate (Cell Marque, Rocklin, USA; 1:100) at a temperature of 96°C in a digital water bath (DeLeo, Porto Alegre, Brazil) for 30 minutes. Next, the sections were treated with the EnVision+ Dual Link System-HRP (Dako, Carpinteria, USA). 3.3’-Diaminobenzidine was used as the chromogen (Dako, Carpinteria, USA).

Immunohistochemical assessment

All cases were evaluated by one observer (L.F.S.) using an eyepiece grid coupled to a light microscope (Zeiss Axiostar, Ser. 48824, Oberkochen, Germany). Immunostaining was evaluated using a semiquantitative analysis of representative regions of each specimen. The slides were analyzed with a light microscope at a final magnification of 400×. Immunostaining was scored by counting the percentage of cells expressing the above-mentioned proteins in at least 10 to 15 different fields. Semi-quantitative analysis was performed based on the proportion of positive neoplastic cells relative to all neoplastic cells in the tissue section.2020 Soares AB, Martinez EF, Ribeiro PF, Barreto IS, Aguiar MC, Furuse C, et al. Factors that may influence polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma growth. Virchows Arch. 2017 Apr;470(4):437-43. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00428-017-2085-3
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00428-017-2085-...
For each brown unambiguous stain, CHK2 expression was defined as nuclear or cytoplasmic immunoreactivity2121 Lee HE, Han N, Kim MA, Lee HS, Yang HK, Lee BL, Kim WH. DNA damage response-related proteins in gastric cancer: ATM, Chk2 and p53 expression and their prognostic value. Pathobiology. 2014;81(1):25-35. c10.1159/000351072. and H2AX44 Nikitakis NG, Rassidakis GZ, Tasoulas J, Gkouveris I, Kamperos G, Daskalopoulos A, et al. Alterations in the expression of DNA damage response-related molecules in potentially preneoplastic oral epithelial lesions. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol. 2018 Jun;125(6):637-49. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oooo.2018.03.006
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oooo.2018.03.0...
and P532222 Nagao T, Warnakulasuriya S, Sakuma H, Miyabe S, Hasegawa S, Machida J, et al. p53 and ki67 as biomarkers in determining response to chemoprevention for oral leukoplakia. J Oral Pathol Med. 2017 May;46(5):346-52. https://doi.org/10.1111/jop.12498
https://doi.org/10.1111/jop.12498...
were defined as nuclear immunoreactivity. Immunoreactivity was considered negative (0%), normal (< 50%), and overexpression (≥ 50%), based on the study conducted by Karpathiou et al. (2016).2323 Karpathiou G, Monaya A, Forest F, Froudarakis M, Casteillo F, Marc Dumollard J, et al. p16 and p53 expression status in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: a correlation with histological, histoprognostic and clinical parameters. Pathology. 2016 Jun;48(4):341-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pathol.2016.01.005
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pathol.2016.01...

Data analysis

Statistical tests were carried out using by the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software (IBM Corp., version 23.0, Armonk, USA). Outcome data were assessed for normality using the Shapiro-Wilk test for the smoker and non-smoker groups (p < 0.05). The Mann-Whitney test was used to compare the values of CHK2, H2AX, and P53 proteins according to clinical features (smoking habits, alcohol consumption, and anatomical location). The level of significance was set at p < 0.05.

Results

Demographic and clinicopathological data

The demographic and clinicopathological characteristics of the sample are shown in Table. Thirty-five OSCC were included. The sample consisted of 22 males (62.8%) and 13 females (37.2%), with a male-to-female ratio of 1.7:1. Mean age of the total sample was 63.9 years (range: 47 to 86 ± 11.8 years). Of the study subjects, 18 (51.4%) were non-smokers and 17 (48.6%) were smokers. Among smokers, males (n = 14/82.3%) in the sixth decade of life (n = 10/58.9%) were the most affected. Regarding non-smokers, females (n = 10/55.6%) in the eighth decade of life (n = 6/33.3%) were the most affected. Alcohol consumption was reported by 70.6% (n = 12) of smokers and 29.4% (n = 5) of non-smokers.

Table
Demographic data and clinicopathological characteristics of the sample.

Of the included cases, symptomatic lesions were present in seven (58.3%) non-smokers and in four (66.7%) smokers. The tongue (77.8%) was the most affected anatomical site in non-smokers, whereas floor of the mouth (47.1%) was the main site in smokers.

Regarding histological grading, 40% (n = 14) were well-differentiated tumors, 31.4% (n = 11) were moderately differentiated, and 28.6% (n = 10) poorly differentiated. Fifty percent of OSCC in non-smokers were well-differentiated tumors, whereas equal proportions of OSCC were moderately differentiated and poorly differentiated in smokers (n = 6/35.3% each).

Immunoexpression of CHK2, H2AX, and P53 positive cells

Overall, most cases were positive (normal or overexpression) for CHK2, H2AX, and P53. Thirty-one (88.6%) cases were CHK2-positive, 27 (77.2%) were H2AX-positive, and 23 (65.7%) were P53-positive. Figure 1 shows the distribution of immunostaining among non-smokers and smokers.

Figure 1
Overall distribution of immunostaining in smokers and non-smokers.

In OSCC samples of smokers, CHK2 staining ranged from 0 to 83.3% of cells (Figure 2A). One case was negative, six cases were normal, and 10 showed overexpression. The expression in OSCC of non-smokers was similar (Figure 2B), with expression ranging from 0 to 91.2%. Three cases were negative, seven were normal, and eight showed overexpression.

Figure 2
CHK2 staining in a smoker (A) and in a non-smoker (B). H2AX staining in a smoker (C) and in a non-smoker (D). P53 staining in a smoker (E) and in a non-smoker (F). Immunohistochemistry, x 200 and x 400.

The expression of H2AX was also quite similar in smokers (Figure 2C) and non-smokers (Figure 2D). However, disparities in mean number of positive cells were observed between smokers (0 to 92.9%) and non-smokers (0 to 53.5%). Two OSCC of smokers showed H2AX overexpression, 11 showed normal expression, and four were negative. Four OSCC of non-smokers were negative, 11 were considered to have normal expression, and one showed overexpression.

The expression of P53 positive cells ranged from 0 to 91.9% in smokers and from 0 to 92.8% in non-smokers (Figure 2E and 2F). Six cases of each group were negative, and two cases of each group showed normal staining. Nine cases of smokers and 10 cases of non-smokers were showed overexpression.

No association was found between protein immunoexpression and clinicopathological features of smokers and non-smokers (p > 0.05). Also, no statistically significant difference was observed between groups (smokers vs. non-smokers) regarding CHK2 (p = 0.909), H2AX (p = 0.807), and P53 (p = 0.546) proteins (Figure 3). No correlation was found among proteins.

Figure 3
Immunoexpression of the proteins CHK2 (p=0.909), H2AX (p = 0.807) and P53 (p = 0.546) between smokers and non-smokers.

Discussion

Tobacco smoking involves a high risk for human malignancies, including oral cancer, because it contains multiple carcinogens that cause genetic instability. Therefore, a worse prognosis would be expected for cancer patients who are smokers. The present study investigated the expression of DNA damage-related molecules in smokers and non-smokers with OSCC. The selected markers participate in different stages of the DNA damage response, from identification of DSBs (H2AX) to induction of cell cycle arrest (CHK2 and P53). The immunoexpression of CHK2, H2AX and P53 was similar in OSCC samples of smokers and non-smokers. Likewise, a previous study showed similar carcinogenic pathways and outcomes in oral premalignant lesions in smokers and non-smokers.2424 Oliva J, Larque AB, Marti C, Bodalo-Torruella M, Nonell L, Nadal A, et al. Oral premalignant lesions of smokers and non-smokers show similar carcinogenic pathways and outcomes: a clinicopathological and molecular comparative analysis. J Oral Pathol Med. 2021Mar;50(3):280-6. https://doi.org/10.1111/jop.12864
https://doi.org/10.1111/jop.12864...

CHK2 is a key regulator kinase involved in the DNA-damage response-signaling pathway. In this study, although CHK2 expression was slightly lower in non-smokers than in smokers, protein immunoexpression did not differ between the two groups and no other association with clinicopathological features was found. The influence of tobacco on DNA repair and CHK2 action has been demonstrated in other studies. An in vitro investigation showed an attenuation of CHK2 phosphorylation in lung epithelial cells treated with nicotine.2525 Nishioka T, Yamamoto D, Zhu T, Guo J, Kim SH, Chen CY. Nicotine overrides DNA damage-induced G1/S restriction in lung cells. PLoS One. 2011 Apr;6(4):e18619. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0018619
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.001...
We hypothesized if the similarity between groups could be overridden by a large sample in that study. Accordingly, we performed a posteriori power calculation to identify the power of our sample. In addition, we also performed a simulation of power calculation with 50 cases and 200 cases in each group (https://www.openepi.com/Menu/OE_Menu.htm). Even for these larger samples, the power was maintained below 50%. Therefore, a larger sample would not change our conclusions, i.e., that there is no relevant difference in the expression of these proteins between smokers and non-smokers.

The tumor suppressor P53 has been reported to be another key target of CHK2 in response to DNA damage. P53 changes are mainly caused by exogenous factors, particularly tobacco carcinogens in cases of OSCC.2626 Hsieh LL, Wang PF, Chen IH, Liao CT, Wang HM, Chen MC, et al. Characteristics of mutations in the p53 gene in oral squamous cell carcinoma associated with betel quid chewing and cigarette smoking in Taiwanese. Carcinogenesis. 2001 Sep;22(9):1497-503. https://doi.org/10.1093/carcin/22.9.1497
https://doi.org/10.1093/carcin/22.9.1497...
The frequency of mutations in the P53 gene is higher in lung tumors from smokers than in lung tumors from non-smokers. Additionally, P53 mutations in lung cancer samples from smokers has been observed to be dependent on lifetime cigarette consumption or duration of smoking.2727 Takeshima Y, Seyama T, Bennett WP, Akiyama M, Tokuoka S, Inai K, et al. p53 mutations in lung cancers from non-smoking atomic-bomb survivors. Lancet. 1993 Dec;342(8886-8887):1520-1. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(05)80087-X
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(05)80...
In this work, we focused on protein expression rather than gene mutation. However, we know that almost half of patients with oral cancer have a mutation in the P53 gene, highlighting its role as a tumor suppressor.1111 Sinevici N, O'sullivan J. Oral cancer: deregulated molecular events and their use as biomarkers. Oral Oncol. 2016 Oct;61:12-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oraloncology.2016.07.013
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oraloncology.2...

Herein, we observed an overexpression of P53 in 19/35 cases (54.3%), with no difference between smokers and non-smokers. Other studies have also found a similar expression of P53 in OSCC of smokers and non-smokers.1717 Zaid K, Azar-Maalouf E, Barakat C, Chantiri M. p53 Overexpression in Oral Mucosa in Relation to Shisha Smoking in Syria and Lebanon. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2018 Jul;19(7):1879-82. https://doi.org/10.22034/APJCP.2018.19.7.1879
https://doi.org/10.22034/APJCP.2018.19.7...
,2424 Oliva J, Larque AB, Marti C, Bodalo-Torruella M, Nonell L, Nadal A, et al. Oral premalignant lesions of smokers and non-smokers show similar carcinogenic pathways and outcomes: a clinicopathological and molecular comparative analysis. J Oral Pathol Med. 2021Mar;50(3):280-6. https://doi.org/10.1111/jop.12864
https://doi.org/10.1111/jop.12864...
In one study, all specimens were P53-positive, independent of tobacco use.44 Nikitakis NG, Rassidakis GZ, Tasoulas J, Gkouveris I, Kamperos G, Daskalopoulos A, et al. Alterations in the expression of DNA damage response-related molecules in potentially preneoplastic oral epithelial lesions. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol. 2018 Jun;125(6):637-49. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oooo.2018.03.006
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oooo.2018.03.0...
The authors stated that the main molecular alterations in oral premalignant lesions and in lesions associated with progression to OSCC were the same for non-smokers and smokers and occurred in the early stages of carcinogenesis.

In recent years, the phosphorylated histone H2AX (γ-H2AX) marker has become a robust tool used to monitor DNA DSBs in cancer research and has been suggested to play a potential role in carcinogenesis and early cancer diagnosis.1212 Palla VV, Karaolanis G, Katafigiotis I, Anastasiou I, Patapis P, Dimitroulis D, et al. gamma-H2AX: can it be established as a classical cancer prognostic factor? Tumour Biol. 2017 Mar;39(3):1010428317695931. https://doi.org/10.1177/1010428317695931
https://doi.org/10.1177/1010428317695931...
Accordingly, studies have revealed a correlation between high γ-H2AX levels and worse prognosis and reduced disease-free survival in breast cancer,2828 Wang B, Zhang Z, Xia S, Jiang M, Wang Y. Expression of γ-H2AX and patient prognosis in breast cancer cohort. J Cell Biochem. 2019 Aug;120(8):12958-65. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcb.28567
https://doi.org/10.1002/jcb.28567...
ovarian cancer,2929 Mei L, Hu Q, Peng J, Ruan J, Zou J, Huang Q, et al. Phospho-histone H2AX is a diagnostic and prognostic marker for epithelial ovarian cancer. Int J Clin Exp Pathol. 2015 May;8(5):5597-602. and hepatocellular carcinoma.3030 Xiao H, Tong R, Ding C, Lv Z, Du C, Peng C, et al. γ-H2AX promotes hepatocellular carcinoma angiogenesis via EGFR/HIF-1α/VEGF pathways under hypoxic condition. Oncotarget. 2015 Feb;6(4):2180-92. https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.2942
https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.2942...
Interestingly, an association of H2AX-positive OSCC with reduced overall survival has been reported.3131 Oliveira-Costa JP, Oliveira LR, Zanetti R, Zanetti JS, Silveira GG, Chavichiolli Buim ME, et al. BRCA1 and γH2AX as independent prognostic markers in oral squamous cell carcinoma. Oncoscience. 2014 Jun;1(5):383-91. https://doi.org/10.18632/oncoscience.47
https://doi.org/10.18632/oncoscience.47...
In the present study, no association was observed between clinicopathologic features of smokers and non-smokers and H2AX protein levels. However, a study has reported that the DNA DSB γ-H2AX marker exists in smoke-exposed placentae, and the cessation of smoking reduces DSB DNA damage to the levels of non-smokers.3232 Slatter TL, Park L, Anderson K, Lailai-Tasmania V, Herbison P, Clow W, et al. Smoking during pregnancy causes double-strand DNA break damage to the placenta. Hum Pathol. 2014 Jan;45(1):17-26. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.humpath.2013.07.024
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.humpath.2013.0...
In addition, available literature data have demonstrated that exposure of A549 (human lung adenocarcinoma) cells to tobacco smoke or of NHBE (normal human bronchial epithelial) cells to smoke condensate induced γ-H2AX.3333 Albino AP, Jorgensen ED, Rainey P, Gillman G, Clark TJ, Gietl D, et al. gammaH2AX: a potential DNA damage response biomarker for assessing toxicological risk of tobacco products. Mutat Res. 2009 Aug;678(1):43-52. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mrgentox.2009.06.009
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mrgentox.2009....

In our study, most non-smokers (70.6%) did not drink alcohol and were women in the eighth and ninth decades of life. Indeed, other OSCC series that included non-smokers also reported similar data.3434 DeAngelis A, Breik O, Koo K, Iseli T, Nastri A, Fua T, et al. Non-smoking, non-drinking elderly females, a 5 year follow-up of a clinically distinct cohort of oral squamous cell carcinoma patients. Oral Oncol. 2018 Nov;86:113-20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oraloncology.2018.09.004
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oraloncology.2...
Moreover, some studies that discussed differences in the genetic profile of OSCC of smoker and non-smokers have been reported elsewhere with divergent results, and the etiopathogenesis of OSCC in the non-smoking population remains unknown.3434 DeAngelis A, Breik O, Koo K, Iseli T, Nastri A, Fua T, et al. Non-smoking, non-drinking elderly females, a 5 year follow-up of a clinically distinct cohort of oral squamous cell carcinoma patients. Oral Oncol. 2018 Nov;86:113-20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oraloncology.2018.09.004
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oraloncology.2...

While in some studies smoking history did not play a differential role in carcinogenesis,3434 DeAngelis A, Breik O, Koo K, Iseli T, Nastri A, Fua T, et al. Non-smoking, non-drinking elderly females, a 5 year follow-up of a clinically distinct cohort of oral squamous cell carcinoma patients. Oral Oncol. 2018 Nov;86:113-20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oraloncology.2018.09.004
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oraloncology.2...
most studies have reported that smokers are more affected by genetic instability. Although tobacco can cause epigenetic changes in oral epithelial cells, inhibit multiple systemic immune functions of the host, and induce oxidative stress in tissues through its toxic metabolites leading to OSCC, there is no specific mutation signature associating smoking with OSCC.22 Jethwa AR, Khariwala SS. Tobacco-related carcinogenesis in head and neck cancer. Cancer Metastasis Rev. 2017 Sep;36(3):411-23. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10555-017-9689-6
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10555-017-9689-...
The mutation signature from smoking appears to be site-specific for lung tumors.

This study has some limitations. The evaluation of tobacco smoking was based on self-reports documented in medical records. Thus, it was not possible to assess the passive smoking of environmental tobacco and other carcinogens to which the patients may have been exposed. Furthermore, we did not consider diet, hormonal status, HPV infection, or second-hand smoking of patients. Thus, the effect of these factors on the immunoexpression of the studied proteins remains to be investigated. Another point that needs to be considered refers to the H2AX range. Although immunohistochemical analysis can be used for this marker, caution should be used when identifying phosphorylated proteins in archival tissues, since immunofluorescence is considered the gold standard. However, due to limited resources, we have decided to maintain this analysis.

Conclusion

In summary, the present study showed similarities in the CHK2, H2AX and P53 immunohistochemical staining pattern between smokers and non-smokers with OSCC. The results indicated consistent expression of these proteins in OSCC with marked nuclear and/or cytoplasmic labeling. It would be worth investigating if these characteristics persist in non-smokers with poorly differentiated OSCC. This study suggests that it would be interesting to investigate whether DNA damage is a factor involved only in the initial events of carcinogenesis, or whether its presence in advanced stages may contribute to more aggressive tumor behavior and a worse prognosis for the patient.

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES, Finance Code 001), Brazil. L.F.S. and J.A.A.A. are the recipients of fellowships. We gratefully acknowledge Prof. Carolina C. Gomes, Department of Pathology, Biological Sciences Institute, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, for donating the H2AX antibody. Mrs. Elettra Greene and Katia Muller provided English editing of the manuscript.

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Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    09 Feb 2022
  • Date of issue
    2022

History

  • Received
    21 Mar 2021
  • Reviewed
    18 Nov 2021
  • Accepted
    10 Oct 2021
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