Absence Of CLP Protein Can Be Indicative Of Oral Cancer

Main Category: Cancer / Oncology
Also Included In: Ear, Nose and Throat;  Biology / Biochemistry;  Dentistry
Article Date: 08 Jan 2009 - 4:00 PST

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Human calmodulin-like protein (CLP) is found in many cell types including breast, thyroid, prostate, kidney, and skin. The protein can regulate many cell activities and has a highly specific expression. Gaining an understanding about the expression of CLP in oral epithelial cells and its possible downregulation (or lack of production) in cancer may be a potentially valuable marker in early detection of oral cancer. A new study in the Journal of Prosthodontics found that CLP is expressed in normal human oral muscosal cells and that downregulation of this protein may be an indicator of malignancy or cancer.

Michael D. Brooks, DMD, MS, Richard D. Bennett, PhD, Emanuel E. Strehler, PhD, Thomas J. Sebo, MD, PhD, Stephen E. Eckert, DDS, MS, and Alan B. Carr, DMD, MS used a method of staining oral skin cells to see if they expressed this protein. A breast tissue sample that was known to have this protein was used as a basis for comparison. Normal cells in the mouth also possessed CLP. In malignancy or cancer, the same type of skin cells no longer expressed this protein.

In the areas of cancerous cells, a decrease in CLP occurred. There was a sharp contrast in staining quality and clarity between benign and malignant tissue. In the majority of the cancerous regions, a complete lack of CLP was noted.

This may be significant because calmodulin-like protein could be a marker for normal healthy oral cavity cells and diminished or complete loss of the protein could be an indicator of oral cancer or oral cancer development.

"Perhaps a non-invasive method could be developed to screen for oral cancer," the authors note. "Unlike other screening methods that attempt to mark actual cancer cells, this marker would show in healthy cells and would decrease only in cancer transformation."

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Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release.
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This study is published in the January 2009 issue of the Journal of Prosthodontics.

To view the abstract for this article, please click here.

Michael D. Brooks, D.M.D., M.S., is affiliated with Peninsula Prosthodontics.

The Journal of Prosthodontics promotes the advanced study and practice of prosthodontics, implant, esthetic and reconstructive dentistry. It is the official journal of the American College of Prosthodontists, the American Dental Association-recognized voice of the Specialty of Prosthodontics. The Journal of Prosthodontics serves both researchers and practicing clinicians by providing a forum for the presentation and discussion of evidence-based prosthodontic research, techniques, and procedures.

Source: Amy Molnar
Wiley-Blackwell