A potential new biomarker in lip cancer: Metastasis suppressor protein 1 (MTSS1).

OBJECTIVE

Metastasis suppressor protein 1 (MTSS1) has been investigated as a marker of tumor aggressiveness across various tumor entities but remains poorly studied in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Its role in lip squamous cell carcinoma has not yet been investigated. Given the higher risk of lymphatic metastasis in lip squamous cell carcinoma compared with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, identifying associated immunohistochemical markers may provide clinically relevant insights into tumor progression.

DESIGN

The tumour marker MTSS1 was examined immunohistochemically on FFPE sections from (n = 49) patients using MTSS1 expression and MTSS1 intensity analysis. The results were then correlated with clinical-pathological characteristics and follow-up outcome parameters.

RESULTS

There was a correlation between MTSS1 expression (%) and ASA-score (surrogate of patient frailty) (p = 0.0139), the risk of local recurrence (p = 0.0125) and pV status (p = 0.0347).

CONCLUSION

MTSS1 correlates with local tumor aggressiveness factors, local recurrence during-follow up and, given the small cohort size, should be investigated further in follow-up studies. This hypothesis-generating study may provide a basis for future investigations.