Nicotinamide N-Methyltransferase upregulation correlates with tumour differentiation in oral squamous cell carcinoma
Monica Emanuelli1, Andrea Santarelli2, Davide Sartini1, Domenico Ciavarella3, Valentina Rossi1, Valentina Pozzi1, Corrado Rubini4 and Lorenzo Lo Muzio3
1Department of Biochemistry, Biology and Genetics, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy, 2Institute of Dentistry and Stomatological Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy, 3Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy and 4Department of Neurosciences, Section of Pathological Anatomy and Histopathology, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy.
Offprint requests to: Professor Monica Emanuelli, Department of Biochemistry, Biology and Genetics, Polytechnic University of Marche, Via Ranieri, 65 – Ancona 60131, Italy. e-mail: m.emanuelli@univpm.it
Summary. We investigated expression levels of Nicotinamide N-Methyltransferase (NNMT), an enzyme involved in the biotransformation of many drugs and xenobiotic compounds, in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Measurements were performed by immunohistochemistry and the relationship between tumour characteristics and NNMT levels in OSCC was studied to evaluate the effectiveness of NNMT as a prognostic marker in squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity. In conclusion, the present study suggests that NNMT may have potential as a biomarker and as a therapeutic target for OSCC. Histol Histopathol 25, 15-20 (2010)
Key words: Nicotinamide N-Methyltransferase, Oral squamous cell carcinoma, Prognostic marker
DOI: 10.14670/HH-25.15