Inflammation related genes are upregulated in surgical margins of advanced stage oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Aims: Advanced stage of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) exhibits different properties compared with the early stage for example an invasion ability. The present study investigated a differential gene expression of surgical margin between advanced and early stage of OSCC.

Methods: Gene Expression Omnibus dataset (GSE31056) was downloaded and re-analyzed. Surgical margin samples were categorized into 2 groups; early stage and late stage. Differential gene expression analysis was performed. Dysregulated genes were further analyzed for gene ontology, enriched pathway, and disease association using a network-based analysis tools.

Results: Eighty-five dysregulated genes were identified in margin of late stage OSCC. Metabolic process and biological regulation were the main gene ontology of dysregulated genes. Genes involved in Jak-STAT signaling pathway were upregulated in late stage of surgical margin samples. In addition, seven upregulated genes in late stage group, namely CEBPB , S1PR1 , IL6 , CEBPD , CHI3L1 , PTX3 , and SOCS3 , were categorized in acute phase reaction and inflammation categories of disease association analysis.

Conclusion: The differential expressed genes in surgical margin of late stage OSCC could be further employed to understand cancer's behavior and to identify target pathway to prevent OSCC invasion.