Endothelins and their receptors as biological markers for oral cancer

Received 9 June 2010; received in revised form 24 June 2010; accepted 25 June 2010. published online 26 July 2010.

Summary

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the most common malignancies recognized nowadays, and represents a public health problem. Its early detection is the better alternative to provide a good quality of life for the patients. During the last years, several studies have identified potential biomarkers of OSCC progression and prognosis. Endothelins and their receptors are involved in several pathophysiological conditions and in various cancer types. The present review article discusses whether the endothelin system would represent a biomarker for OSCC.

Keywords: Oral cancer, Endothelin-1, Endothelin receptors, Prognostic factor

Abbreviations: OSCC, oral squamous cells carcinoma, ET-1, endothelin-1, ET-2, endothelin-2, ET-3, endothelin-3, ETs, endothelins, ECE, endothelin-converting enzyme, ETAR, endothelin receptor A, ETBR, endothelin receptor B

a Postgraduate Program of Dental College, PUCRS, Brazil

b Stomatology Service, Hospital São Lucas, PUCRS, Brazil

c Institute of Toxicology, PUCRS, Brazil

Corresponding author at: School of Dentistry, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Avenida Ipiranga, 6681, Partenon, 90619-900 Porto Alegre, Brazil. Tel.: +55 51 3320 3562; fax: +55 51 3320 3626.

PII: S1368-8375(10)00199-5

doi:10.1016/j.oraloncology.2010.06.015

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